Stock image of police tape
(Picture: PA Wire)A dad has been put behind bars after his Chow Chow-Alsatian cross killed his newborn.
Elon Ellis-Joynes was 12 days old when he was mauled to death by Chow-Chow-Alsatian cross Teddy at his home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, on September 13 in 2020.
Steven Joynes, 36, was sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to a charge of being the owner of a dog which caused death when dangerously out of control.
Initially Elon’s mother Abigail Ellis, 28, was charged with the same offence but Joynes took full responsibility.
The newborn died as a result of severe trauma to his chest and abdomen with injuries “typical of having been repeatedly bitten by a dog”, a post-mortem found.
Ms Ellis made a “distressed” 999 call and paramedics found Elon pale in colour and with puncture wounds to his torso at the scene, the court heard.
He was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but died in the afternoon.
Prosecuting Richard Thyne said Joynes brought the Chow Chow-Alsation cross with him when he moved into Ms Ellis’ home.
Originally Joynes had purchased the dog as a gift for his ex-partner’s daughter in 2019 but he took him in when she was unable to cope with him, the prosecutor said.
Neighbours admitted the dog made them feel “uneasy and intimidated” by jumping their fences, Mr Thyne said.
Another neighbour said they had seen Joynes “kick and shout at the dog for getting out” on a number of occasions, the court heard.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said the newborn’s death was “a tragedy waiting to happen” and Joynes “should never have kept this dog”.
He told the defendant: “You knew the dog was unmanageable and had vicious characteristics. You had made no attempt to socialise the dog with children. All you did was kick and hit the dog, and put it outside.
“You took no effective steps to protect any of the children, least of all your 12-day-old infant son.”
Teddy had been put down following the incident, a court heard.
