Emotional tributes have been paid to a "lovely" 10-year-old boy killed in a dog attack with the whole community saddened by the tragic death.
The youngster died in an incident at a house in Pentwyn, Caerphilly, Wales before emergency services were called and the animal involved was destroyed by firearms on Monday afternoon.
In the aftermath of the incident, neighbours and politicians in the community spoke of their shock and devastation.
Councillor Lindsay Geoffrey Whittle was clearly emotional as he spoke with his voice audibly cracking, Wales Online reports.
He said: “The entire community is in total shock at such a terribly devastating incident. We are all thinking of [the child’s] loved ones.
“It’s absolutely tragic, heartbreaking.”
Cllr Whittle added that he has been speaking with staff at the child’s school who were all devastated by the news.
A neighbour at the scene, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s so sad when someone dies but when a child is killed in such a tragic way it’s inexplicable.”
Another local resident added: "I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. It was horrific."
Councillor Steve Skivens of the Penyrheol ward said he became aware of the incident after his wife, a community councillor, noticed a large police presence in the area.
Cllr Skivens said: "Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the young man who has lost his life.
"We would also like to extend our thoughts to all the emergency services who attended the incident. Unfortunately an animal had to be put down.
"We await the details from the police. It's a tragic, tragic loss of a young life."
One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said her daughter went to school with the boy who had died.
"He was a lovely boy and so harmless. It’s just so sad. He was so young," she said.
A Gwent Police spokesman said on Monday night.: “We were called to an address in Pentwyn, Penyrhoel, Caerphilly at around 3.55pm on Monday, November 8, following reports of a dog attack.
“Officers attended, including specially-trained firearms officers, alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service who confirmed that a 10-year-old boy had died at the scene.
“The dog was destroyed by firearms officers and no other animals were involved in the attack.”
