Caerphilly dog attack: Jack Lis, 10, killed by legal American bulldog, police confirm

Jack Lis

The breed of dog which killed a 10-year-old boy in Caerphilly has been confirmed by police.

Jack Lis, who suffered "unsurvivable" injuries, was killed by an American bulldog, according to Gwent Police.

The breed is not on the list of banned dogs and is legal to own. It was shot by firearms officers when they arrived at an address in Pentwyn, Penyrhoel, last month.

A dog legislation expert has now completed the identification process of the dog following the attack.


Banned dogs in the UK:

  • Pitbull terrier

  • Japanese tosa

  • Dogo Argentino

  • Fila Brasileiro


A recent inquest into Jack's death found that the injuries to his head and neck were "unsurvivable" and he died at the scene. He had been calling into a friend's house after school.

Hundreds of people attended the boy's funeral which took place at St Martin’s Church in Caerphilly last week.

A 28-year-old woman from the Caerphilly area has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. She was later released on conditional bail.

Two men, a 34-year-old from the Mountain Ash area and a 19-year-old from the Caerphilly area, attended voluntarily in relation to an offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. Both were later released.

Jack's mother and father described him "as one of the sweetest boys."

Jack's parents, Emma and John, from Caerphilly, said they were "absolutely heartbroken" following the boy's death.

In a statement, the family said: "Our lives will never be the same without Jack. This is not something any parent should ever have to be writing. We have so many words we want to say about our beautiful boy, but they do not seem enough.

"We love him more than words can describe. Our boy made us the proudest parents and family on the planet. He was the sweetest of boys.

"We will forever miss his quirky ways and his stories that he would spend so long telling us.

"He's forever in our hearts. Sweet dreams Jack, our perfect boy."

More than £12,000 was raised to support the family with funeral costs.

Gwent Police are still calling on anyone with information or concerns to contact police on Facebook or Twitter. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.


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