On the evening of November 2, 2025, a quiet village in South Wales was shaken by a tragedy few could have imagined. In Rogiet, near Caldicot, Monmouthshire, a nine-month-old baby boy lost his life in a fatal attack by a family dog—a male, black XL bully. This devastating incident has not only left a family and community in deep mourning, but has also reignited national debate over the safety of certain dog breeds and the effectiveness of recent legislation aimed at preventing such attacks.
According to BBC News, emergency services, including Gwent Police and paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, rushed to the address in Crossway, Rogiet at around 6pm that Sunday. Despite their efforts, the infant was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog, a six-year-old XL bully, was seized and removed from the property by authorities.
In the aftermath, Gwent Police arrested two people from Rogiet—a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s—on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. Both were also arrested on suspicion of child neglect. As Sky News reported, the pair were later released on police bail, with inquiries ongoing as officers work to piece together exactly what happened that evening.
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, speaking on behalf of Gwent Police, emphasized the complexity and seriousness of the investigation. "The arrests were made as part of a wide range of enquiries that officers are carrying out to understand the circumstances of the death," she said, as quoted by The Express. Townsend also addressed the community’s concerns and the intense public interest, urging restraint and sensitivity: "I understand that there is a lot of interest about this in our communities, but this is now a live criminal investigation. It is vital that people think about how their online commentary, in particular social media comments or posts, could impact the ongoing investigation and the criminal justice process."
The dog involved in the attack was not only registered as an XL bully with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), but had also been granted a certificate of exemption in 2024, prior to the breed’s ban coming into effect on February 1 of that year. This detail, confirmed by multiple outlets including The Standard, underscores the ongoing challenges authorities face in enforcing breed-specific legislation. Since February 2024, it has been a criminal offense to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate. According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, more than 4,500 XL bully dogs have been seized since the ban began.
The government’s decision to ban the XL bully breed was prompted by what officials described as "a concerning rise in attacks from these dangerous dogs," with 23 deaths attributed to the breed in the three years prior to the legislation. Yet, as BBC News highlighted, the number of dog attacks in England and Wales actually increased in 2024 compared to the previous year, with 31,920 incidents reported—a 2% rise. It’s worth noting, though, that these figures may underrepresent the true scale, as not all police forces provided useable data.
Local reaction in Rogiet has been one of profound shock and sorrow. County councillor Peter Strong described the village as being in mourning, telling BBC News, "It's a deep and profound sense of shock that such a thing should happen in amidst our quiet community." He appealed for privacy for the grieving family and expressed confidence that residents would "stand together" in the difficult days ahead.
The police investigation is now focused on understanding how a dog, which was legally exempted and registered, could have been involved in such a catastrophic event. Assistant Chief Constable Townsend reiterated the importance of community cooperation and responsible communication: "We urge people not to speculate, if you have any information, including information on the dog involved – a male, black XL bully – and its previous behaviour, please contact us directly instead. Once again, my condolences and thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic death, both within the community and further afield."
As the investigation continues, questions linger about the effectiveness of breed-specific bans and the responsibilities of dog owners. While the law requires owners of banned breeds to obtain certificates of exemption, Assistant Chief Constable Townsend noted, "In preparation for the new law, when requesting a certificate of exemption, owners were not required to formally identify the dog’s breed. In cases where a suspected banned breed is involved only a DLO (dog legislation officer) or a court-approved independent assessor can make an official determination."
The incident has also cast a spotlight on the broader issue of dog attacks in the UK. Despite legislative efforts, the rise in recorded attacks suggests that more comprehensive strategies may be needed—ones that go beyond breed bans to address factors such as education, responsible ownership, and community awareness. The tragic loss of a child in Rogiet is a somber reminder of the stakes involved and the challenges that persist.
For now, the focus remains on the ongoing police investigation and supporting the bereaved family and community. Authorities have asked anyone with information about the dog or its previous behavior to contact Gwent Police, quoting log reference 2500349915. As the village of Rogiet grapples with this unimaginable loss, the hope is that lessons learned may help prevent future tragedies—though for those affected, the pain is likely to linger for years to come.
