A 28-year-old woman has been arrested following the dog attack which killed ten-year-old Jack Lis in Penyrheol on Monday.

The woman, who is from the Caerphilly area, was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

She has since been released on conditional bail, Gwent Police has confirmed.

A 34-year-old man from the Mountain Ash area and a 19-year-old man from the Caerphilly area voluntarily spoke to police in relation to the offence, but were later released.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough, of Gwent Police, said: “As our investigation continues, we will be removing our scenes from the area and the work to identify the breed of dog involved is also progressing.

“As we’ve arrested an individual on suspicion of an offence linked to the attack, and spoken to two others voluntarily, we’re looking to identify where any criminal matters have occurred.

“I understand that there is a lot of interest about this in our communities.”

He added: “It is vital that people are considering the tone and language used in comment posted on social media about the identities of anyone involved in this matter as part of our enquiries.

“As this is a live investigation such comments may have impact on our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.”

Gwent Police said it was called to the address, which is not the family home, at around 3.55pm on Monday, 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.

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.

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.

Gwent Police said work to identify the breed of the dog is ongoing at this time but there is no confirmation as of yet.

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.”

Tribute

Speaking in the Senedd on Tuesday 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.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet held a minute silence in memory of Jack during a meeting on Wednesday.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Philippa Marsden, said: “Everyone is saddened by the recent events.

“The whole community has been shocked and saddened by the loss of such a young life in such tragic circumstances.

“Jack was a bright and popular child who will be greatly missed by everyone at Cwm Ifor Primary and the wider community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family at this most difficult time.”

Additional Reporting from the Local Democracy Reporting Service