Mauling Death Of Baby By Pet Dog Owned By Cop Is Not A Criminal Case

The death of a baby boy mauled by a family dog is “unlikely” to be treated as a criminal investigation, police said.

Archie Darby, aged four months, died after being attacked in Colchester, Essex, on Thursday afternoon. His brother Daniel-Jay Darby, who is 22 months old, is still in hospital with life changing injuries.

The owner of the dog – the children’s aunt – has been named as 31 year old serving police officer PC Clare Ferdinand.

“We are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident,” a force spokesman said.

“It is not a criminal investigation and is not likely to be in the future.”

Speaking to the BBC at the weekend, Essex police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst confirmed the dog’s owner “works for police” but could not clarify in which position or for which force.

Mr Hirst said the family pet – believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier-type – “didn’t have any history” of aggression and “wasn’t at all vicious”.

The boys’ mother, who has not been named, was left with minor injuries during the attack in a house in Harwich Road. Police were called there at 15:10 BST on Thursday.

The dog involved has been destroyed.