Two people have appeared in court in connection with the dog attack that killed ten-year-old Jack Lis.

Jack, who attended Cwm Ifor Primary School, died on November 8 following the attack at a friend’s house on Pentwyn, Penyrheol.

Amy Salter, 28, of Llanfabon Drive, Trethomas, and Brandon Hayden, 19, of Pen y Bryn in Penyrheol, attended Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 7, accused of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.

Hayden is also charged with five further offences of owning a dog dangerously out of control near the Top Shops in Heol Aneurin between November 4 and 7. All the charges relate to the dog that killed Jack – an XL American Bully called Beast. On two of those occasions, two members of the public were injured.

On November 4 the dog attacked and injured Michael Ball, while the day before Jack’s death it attacked Sian Sullivan causing her injuries.

The court was told that on November 8, Jack was standing near the door of an address linked to Salter when the dog jumped on him.

The breed of dog was later identified by police as an XL American Bully – a breed not banned by the Dangerous Dog Act, meaning it is legal to own in the UK.

The dog was shot dead by firearms officers after the attack.

Salter and Hayden, spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth, and addresses and did not enter pleas. The pair were released on conditional bail and will appear before Newport Crown Court on May 5.

“My heart aches“

Jack’s funeral was held at St Martin’s Church in Caerphilly on November 25, with hundreds of people lining the streets to pay their respects.

Jack’s mother Emma paid tribute to her “beautiful baby boy” at the funeral.

She said: “I’ve spent the last ten years watching you grow and we started to see you grow into the most amazing man.

“My heart aches so badly I won’t get the chance to see you grow. I’ll forever miss your stories about the games on the PlayStation, the cars you built on the games.

“But most of all I’ll miss your voice my boy and I’d give anything to hear you again. This isn’t a goodbye, its a see you later dude.”