A week-old boy has died after being bitten by his family’s pet dog in Shropshire.

Harry Harper died in hospital after emergency crews were called to what is believed to be his grandparents’ house in Ketley on Tuesday morning.

West Mercia Police said the incident appeared to be “a tragic accident” and the Jack Russell had been destroyed.

A statement from Harry’s family said there were “no words to describe the loss we have suffered”.

They said they were “absolutely devastated” and asked to be “left in peace to grieve and deal with our loss”.

Emergency crews were called to a semi-detached house, thought to belong to Harry’s grandparents Gordon and Teresa Bell, in Woodside Road just before 08:00 GMT.

The baby was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford but died soon after, police said.

Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson said: “The dog in question was a family pet, a Jack Russell, and this animal has been put down.

“Our investigation is ongoing but it appears that the baby died as a result of a dog bite.

“A post-mortem will be taking place to establish the exact cause of this baby’s death but at this stage it does appear to be a tragic accident.”

He said the family involved “are devastated by their loss” and that “all our thoughts are with the family of the baby at this extremely sad time”.

Neighbour Ingrid Finch said: “It’s just horror – shock and horror really.

“I feel desperately sorry for everybody concerned and everyone else… We are quite a tight-knit community and everybody knows everybody else and we’ve all lived here a long time.

“We are absolutely horrified.”

For more on this story go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-20422725