A tragic incident unfolded as a nine-month-old infant, identified as Jonte William Bluck, lost his life in a fatal attack by an XL Bully at his father’s residence in Rogiet, South Wales, on November 2, 2025. The young child was bitten by the family pet inside the house and passed away while en route to the hospital. An inquest into the unfortunate event was initiated at Gwent Coroner’s Court, although it was postponed until August 4, 2026, to allow for ongoing police investigations.

The cause of death was initially attributed to a severe head injury consistent with a dog bite. Subsequently, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s from Rogiet were arrested on suspicion of having control over a dangerously aggressive dog that led to the fatal incident. They were also taken into custody on suspicion of neglecting a child but were later released on bail pending further inquiries.

The dog involved was a six-year-old XL Bully, which had been officially registered with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and had received an exemption certificate in 2024. Following the tragedy, the dog was euthanized. XL Bully breeds have been banned in England and Wales since December 31, 2023, prohibiting their breeding, sale, rehoming, or abandonment. Notably, the dog in this case was registered prior to the ban implementation.

Gwent Police Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend emphasized the importance of responsible ownership and adherence to the law regarding banned breeds. She highlighted the need for accurate breed identification by authorized personnel to avoid such tragic incidents. The community came together in the wake of the incident, and the police urged caution against spreading unverified information that could impact the ongoing investigation and the grieving family.