Father jailed over deadly dog attack on three-week-old son

A young father has been sentenced to 21 months jail time for falling asleep, drunk, through a continuous, fatal attack committed by the family dog on his three-week-old son.

The incident, which took place in June 2015, took place when Maria Blacklin, the mother of the toddler, had left the house for her grandmother's funeral. The toddler had been left in the care of the father, Ryan Young, when the incident took place.

According to the Newcastle crown court, the incident, which may have gone on for 20 minutes straight, could have easily been prevented had the father been awake.

Young, a roofer, told the police that he had consumed eight cans of lager that night. A taxi driver, however, came forward saying he was told to deliver eight more cans to Young’s home address later that night.



The court was told that the dog, usually, was held in the garden and was only allowed in the kitchen. But there were no concerns over the dog's temperament alongside children, it was never a fighting dog.

Blacklin returned home after 4am, and screamed when she saw her newborn baby lying in a pool on blood on the floor. The baby was blue but still breathing when paramedics were called. Sadly, the baby succumbed to his injuries.

Speaking to the police, Young said, “I would not say I was drunk, more tired.”

According to the police, Young refused to give a breath test to ascertain his state and hence, the amount of alcohol he had consumed could not be confirmed. Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said, “The officers who arrived described the defendant as appearing drunk.”

Dodds said, “Had the defendant not been asleep in drink, he would have been able to stop the attack.”



Caroline Goodwin QC, the defender said, “He is absolutely devastated. Nothing he can do can turn back the clock and bring back his own child. It was all the more harrowing for the family when he carried his child’s coffin before the service. It has been a long two years, this is a life sentence for this man.”

Goodwin also mentioned that the two-year-old dog had no records of showing such violence but behaved “naturally and instinctively” on the night.

Judge Tim Gittens, however, said, “Reggie was subjected to a most dreadful, torturous, confusing attack and he sustained horrific and painful injuries.” He continued, “I am satisfied that your lack of control of your animal was due to the influence of alcohol and your selfish decision to drink to excess after a hard day at work.”

Young was sentenced to 21 months in jail and a seven year ban on keeping a dog.

No family members were in court for the sentencing.

This story originally appeared on The Guardian.