THE devastated great grandmother of a baby killed by a dog has spoken of her family’s heartbreak.

Maureen Labbett was on her way to the wedding of one of her grandsons when she heard little Archie Darby had been killed and his brother, Daniel Jay had suffered life-changing injuries.

Archie, who was nicknamed Archie Bum by his devoted family, was four months old.

He was taken from his mother Jade’s arms by a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog which killed him.

The family were at Archie’s aunt, Clare Ferdinand’s house in Harwich Road, Colchester, when the attack happened.

Daniel-Jay, who is 22 months old, is in an induced coma at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

Mrs Labbett, 77, said before Daniel-Jay was put into the medical coma he had opened his eyes and said “mum”.

Mrs Labbett said: “I am still in utter shock. I just want to be with them and I can’t.

“That’s what is hurting me the most.

“I am so touched and thankful to people for their support and everyone is trying hard to get through this.

“There are times when I keep shaking but I am strong and I have to be.”

Although Daniel-Jay suffered severe injuries, Mrs Labbett said he briefly opened his eyes and spoke before he was placed into an induced coma.

Mrs Labbett, of Low Road, Dovercourt, said: “He is not too bad at the moment.

“He is having lots and lots of tests done. He has a lot of injuries to his leg, arm and face and has been placed into an induced coma.

“He is extremely strong.

“At one point last week he had opened his eyes and said his mother’s name but I don’t think they could let him stay conscious in that state.

“His mother Jade has been with him the whole time, she is a wonderful mother, absolutely wonderful.”

Mrs Labbett said Mrs Ferdinand has been unable to return to the house.

She added: “Clare, our other granddaughter, cannot go back in the house at the moment, she is so devastated.

“That dog was absolutely fine up until then. It was completely out of the blue.”

A Just Giving page has been set up by Teresa Williams, a close friend of Mrs Labbett, to raise funds to put towards funeral costs and further care for Daniel-Jay.

Mrs Williams will host a superhero-themed fundraiser, at The Luney Social Club, in Barrack Lane, Dovercourt, to encourage as much support as possible.

The event will take place at midday on Saturday, November 26.

Mrs Williams, of Artillery Drive, Dovercourt, said: “With the 22-month-old suffering life-changing injuries we hope to put money towards whatever is needed during his care.

“I ran it past Maureen who thought it was a really lovely idea.

“I am still looking for raffle prizes and donations if anyone can help and, of course, for adults and children to dress as superheroes for the day.”

To contact Mrs Williams and to donate, click HERE.

An inquest into Archie’s death has been opened and adjourned.