News

Dogs attack, bite 14 days old baby to death after mother fell asleep

Published

3 years ago

January 12, 2022

It has been reported that a newborn baby boy was bitten to death by a family dog after his mother fell asleep on the sofa and his father walked outside for a cigarette.

Reuben McNulty died three weeks after his parents’ pet dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, bit his head up to 23 times.

Parents Amy Litchfield and Dan McNulty had been told by social workers not to leave Reuben alone with their two dogs.

Family dog fatally bites 14 day old baby on the head 23 times after mum fell asleep on sofa

But Amy, 31, was in a deep slumber next to baby Reuben, who also slept in a teddy bear bed on the sofa, while the dad, Dan had gone outside for a cigarette when the dog was savaged by one of the dogs at the family home in Yaxley, Cambs, UK.

An inquest on Tuesday, January 11, heard that neither Reuben nor the dogs were being directly supervised at the time of the attack just before 2am on November 18, 2018.

Family dog fatally bites 14 day old baby on the head 23 times after mum fell asleep on sofa

Neither of the child’s parents attended the hearing.

The coroner heard that Dan returned inside to find Reuben and the white dog called Dottie and aged around 6 – covered in blood, while Amy was still asleep.

Dan immediately called 999, telling the operator: “I think the f****** dog’s attacked him. My partner was asleep, I just heard crying.

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“He’s just bleeding, you know? I was like what the f***?”

When paramedics arrived, Daniel and Amy refused to hold baby Reuben, the inquest heard.

The baby was then airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he was found to have suffered severe brain, spinal and skull injuries. He died at the same hospital on December 13 – three days after life support was removed.

Simon Newbury, a veterinary forensics expert, revealed that the dog may have bitten Reuben up to 23 times in the head while shaking him around.

Mr Newbury told the inquest at Peterborough Town Hall: “It’s possible that Dottie saw Reuben as a small prey or a squeaky toy.

“It’s possible that Dottie was stimulated into a predatory drive by crying or a movement [by Reuben].

“There appears to have been no supervision of the dogs. Amy was in a deep sleep, Daniel was downstairs, outside, smoking.”

Dan and Amy were both arrested by police on suspicion of child neglect after the incident but prosecutors changed their stance and decided not to charge them in December 2020.

Both dogs were seized by police and killed after the heartbreaking incident.

Related Topics:Amy Litchfield Reuben McNulty Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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Crime

Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation after consulting family

Published

10 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Seun Okerayi

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honoured the EFCC’s invitation after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies. The EFCC declared him wanted over allegations of fraud during his time in office.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after careful consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

The EFCC had earlier declared him wanted over allegations of fraud and corrupt enrichment during his tenure in office.

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In a statement released by his media office on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello explained his decision to engage with the EFCC, citing his respect for the rule of law.

He emphasised that his legal team had been representing him in court to ensure due process in all proceedings related to the case.

Bello highlighted his commitment to clearing his name, stating that he has nothing to hide and fully supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria.

He also noted that during his governorship, he was the first to introduce an anti-corruption mechanism in Kogi State, aimed at preventing graft and ensuring state resources were used for the benefit of the people.

Accompanied by high-profile Nigerians, Bello urged the EFCC to act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen. Further details of his meeting with the EFCC are expected to be shared in due course.

Religion

IK Ogbonna condemns fake miracles by Nigerian pastors

Published

12 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Seun Okerayi

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has condemned fake miracles by Nigerian pastors, warning that their deceptive practices harm Christianity and manipulate believers for personal gain.

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has raised concerns over the increasing number of Nigerian pastors performing fake miracles. In an Instagram post, he described these actions as a serious betrayal of the true essence of Christianity.

He highlighted how the deception not only damages the church’s reputation but also manipulates vulnerable believers, exploiting their faith for personal profit.

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Ogbonna emphasised that such fraudulent acts have severe consequences, including broken trust, shattered lives, and distorted faith.

He called on pastors engaged in these practices to reflect on their actions, urging them to stop using God’s name for falsehood, which he termed a direct betrayal of the gospel.

He also called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to implement stricter regulations and accountability for those posing as pastors.

According to Ogbonna, Christianity should remain rooted in truth, love, and humility, not be used for manipulation or financial gain.

He urged Christians to remember that true miracles cannot arise from deception and urged believers to protect the integrity of their faith.

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Education

Lagos state government announces increase in boarding fees for model colleges

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Seun Okerayi

The Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in model colleges to N100,000 per term, citing improved student welfare as the reason.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced an increase in boarding fees for its model colleges, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to a statement released by Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the adjustment is necessary to improve the welfare of students in public boarding schools across the state.

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Lawal explained that the N35,000 fee, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer sustainable due to rising costs.

The newly approved fee of N100,000 will be implemented from the resumption of the 2024/2025 session in September 2024.

The Ministry recognises that the decision has faced criticism from some parents but emphasised the importance of ensuring students’ welfare, including proper nutrition and other essential services such as energy costs for cooking.

The fees, paid every term, are allocated for feeding, janitorial services, and other costs necessary for maintaining the hostels.

Lawal highlighted the numerous benefits students in Lagos model colleges receive, including free tuition, education infrastructure, technology support, and payment of terminal examination fees, such as WAEC.

He added that the state government remains considerate with the increase when compared to similar institutions across Nigeria.

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The Ministry urged parents to understand the rationale behind the increase and to cooperate for the benefit of the children.