A ten-year-old boy who was killed in a dog attack has been described as a “sweet, sweet boy” by his mother and as “bright and caring pupil” by his headteacher.

Jack Lis, ten, died at a house on Pentwyn, Penyrheol, on Monday, November 8.

Gwent Police said it was called to the address, which is not the family home, at around 3.55pm following reports of a dog attack.

Officers attended, including specially-trained firearms officers, with paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, who confirmed that Jack had died at the scene.

The dog was shot dead by firearms officers. No other animals were involved.

Jack was a “bright and caring pupil”

In a Facebook post, his mum Emma Whitfield wrote: “With so much heart break and before close friends and family see his name in the news, I have to announce our beautiful boy Jack was taken so tragically yesterday.”

She added: “He was out to play. We love you so much our sweet, sweet boy.”

Gareth Rees, headteacher of Cwm Ifor Primary School, which Jack attended, said the whole school community had been rocked.

Paying tribute he said: “Jack was a bright and caring pupil who was popular amongst his peers and the teaching staff at Cwm Ifor. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this difficult time and we now need time and space to heal together as a school community.

“Appropriate support is being made available for pupils and staff over the coming days as we come to terms with this devastating news.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough, of Gwent Police, said: “My condolences and thoughts are with Jack’s family, friends, school friends and everyone affected by this within the community.

“We can confirm that the attack did not happen in the house owned by Jack’s family, but inside another property on a nearby street.

“Officers are continuing to make further enquiries at this time and will remain at the scene as the investigation progresses.

“There will be a significant presence of officers in this area of Caerphilly as our enquiries continue. Please do not be alarmed.

“If you have concerns or information then please do stop and talk with us.”

Neighbour Tracey Lawrence told BBC Wales: “The little boy that lives there ran over to a neighbour saying the dog was attacking his friend and the neighbour couldn’t help and couldn’t save the boy.”

Speaking in the Senedd today in response to a statement by Caerphilly MS Hefin David, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Members here will be thinking about Jack and his family, I know. I read what the headteacher of Cwm Ifor Primary School had to say about him, and you can just imagine the impact that this will have on those very young children who will have known him and would have, in some case, very sadly, witnessed those awful events.”

Mr David said: “I’m sure that everyone in this Chamber would wish to send their condolences and best thoughts to the family and the community in Penyrheol, who undoubtedly will rally round in these circumstances. I’d also like to say that on behalf of my fellow regional colleagues in the Conservative Party and in Plaid Cymru as well, because I know we all feel the same.”

Penyrheol, Trecenydd and Energlyn ward councillor Steve Skivens told Caerphilly Observer the incident had been a “tremendous shock” to the community.

Cllr Skivens said: “It’s a tragic incident. This is very upsetting for the whole area and today we have a large number of media people on site, which again emphasises what’s gone on.

“Not only do my condolences go out to the family, but also anyone who witnessed it, and certainly the emergency services who will have to deal with it.

“The family have requested that they’re given space and I think that is correct. At this point in time, we must all respect that they are grieving and this is a tragic, tragic incident.”

Boy was “trapped” in house

Speaking outside Blackwood Police Station today, November 9, Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said Jack had been “trapped” in the house with the dog.

He said: “Officers… were met by a community who were very concerned, and out in the streets, at the obvious incident ongoing. Officers managed to distract the dog on the premises so that the child could be removed from the front of the address.

“Tragically, injuries meant that the loss of life of Jack happened instantly at the scene.”

He added that police will be speaking with the owner of the dog as part of their investigation and will be establishing the history on the animal.

He was unable to confirm the breed of dog but described it as “large and powerful” and that it was acting “extremely aggressively at the scene”.

Experts will be examining the dog to determine its breed and whether or not it was banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Ch Supt Hobrough told Caerphilly Observer: “We are establishing as much detail as we can to ensure that this receives an absolutely thorough investigation, as does it deserve for Jack’s family, friends and school friends in the wider community.”

Previous concern over dog

An unnamed resident told the PA news agency: “The dog has been a nuisance on the estate for a bit of a time.

“I took our son down to the local shop a few days ago, and he was down there then and he was lunging at my son.

“My son is three years old and I had to pick up my son just to move around the dog because of the size on him.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said Gwent Police has no previous records or reports in relation to the dog.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting reference 2100392510.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.