A SAVAGE attack by a Staffordshire bull terrier could not have been predicted and no-one was to blame, an inquest heard.

The dog, named Bailey, showed his first signs of aggression just seconds before he mauled baby Archie to death and almost killed his brother, Daniel-Jay.

Police were called to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack after Bailey grabbed both boys by the head biting and shaking them.

Det Insp Gary Biddle told the inquest Bailey had been with Clare Ferdinand, 31, a police officer, and her husband, John, at their Colchester home for four years.

Officers investigating the attack spoke to members of the family and those who had looked after Bailey about his past behaviour.

Mr Biddle said: “There was nothing identified at all.

“The dog had been purchased from a rescue centre which is no longer open.”

They spoke to his previous owner who said Bailey had never shown any violence but a Jack Russell in the previous home used to attack him.

The owner had to take Bailey to the vets repeatedly and decided it was not fair on him so took him to the rescue centre.

Mr Biddle said: “He was the victim at that time.”

A post mortem examination was carried out on Bailey, who was put down following the attack on the boys.

It revealed the dog was healthy and had been well looked after.

An inspection of the home concluded the dog was well treated.

  • A DOG attacked and killed a baby just a week after the tot’s family had moved into the home.

Jade Rogers moved into the Colchester home from Rainham.

A week later Archie Joe Darby had died from multiple injuries consistent with a dog attack and Daniel-Jay Darby had life changing injuries.

Essex area coroner Eleanor McGann said this was not a case of a dog being mistreated or the owners being blamed but a tragic incident “out of the blue”.

Coroner’s officer Malcolm Stewart said Miss Rogers had moved into the home of her sister one week previously and was looking for a permanent place in Colchester.

On the day of the attack, Bailey lost control for the first time and never regained it even when being restrained by officers. The dog was put down.

Police investigated the incident and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if anyone should be prosecuted for having a dog dangerously out of control.

Essex area coroner Eleanor McGann said both police and the CPS but were “satisfied, as were the police, no offences have been committed by anyone”.

Because the dog had never shown any violent tendencies beforehand it was decided his behaviour could not have been predicted or prevented.

The inquest heard this was a case of a dog capable of causing serious injuries losing control and not a case involving bad owners.