Child of 3 years tragically fatally attacked by a 50kg dog; father, on trial for manslaughter, was aware the boy could access the enclosure where the incident occurred.
Mark Twigg and Joanne Bedford, parents of three-year-old Daniel Twigg, are currently on trial for gross negligence manslaughter and related offences following the tragic death of their son at Carr Farm, Rochdale, on May 15, 2022.
The couple is accused of failing in their duties as dog owners, leading to the fatal dog attack that took Daniel's life. Mark Twigg is charged with allowing a dangerous dog to be at large, while Joanne Bedford is charged with failing to secure the dog properly.
The charges stem from the circumstances surrounding the incident, which have raised questions about dog ownership responsibility and public safety. It is alleged that the couple, who were looking after two dogs belonging to farm owner Matthew Brown, were aware of the risk that if unsupervised, Daniel could enter the pen occupied by the dogs.
The prosecution claims that the couple's negligence led to Daniel being 'alone and unsupervised' in the yard, where he was attacked by the dogs, a Cane Corsa named Sid and a Boerboel type dog named Tiny. The jury previously heard that Mark Twigg was not home at the time of the attack.
The tragedy unfolded when Daniel was found seriously injured by his older sister after the attack. Bedford attempted to give Daniel chest compressions on a stone bench in the rear yard, but it was too late to save him. The CCTV from a neighbour's property showed Daniel moving around inside his sight for a few moments before disappearing from view.
The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues. It is not known whether both dogs were involved in the attack, but it is believed that Sid was likely responsible. The gates to the dog pen were secured only with a Karabiner clip, not a padlock. Tiny, a neighbour described as 'dangerous' and 'ticking time bomb', was also involved in the incident.
After the tragedy, the couple provided varying accounts of what happened. Bedford was hysterical and crying at the scene, telling police, "Kill that dog." Sid was shot dead at the scene, and a post mortem examination showed that he had not eaten for 12/24 hours.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible dog ownership and the potential dangers that can arise when dogs are not properly secured and supervised. The trial will continue to explore the circumstances surrounding Daniel's tragic death and the role that Mark Twigg and Joanne Bedford played in the incident.
In the midst of the trial for the tragic death of Daniel Twigg, both Mark Twigg and Joanne Bedford face charges related to irresponsible pet ownership. Mark Twigg is accused of allowing a dangerous dog to be at large, while Joanne Bedford is charged with failing to secure a dog properly. This incident has raised questions in the general news about the responsibility of dog owners and public safety, particularly in crime and justice matters.
