Dog death baby described as 'angel'

The mother of a 13-month-old boy mauled to death by a rottweiler said that her "sleeping angel" would always be in her heart.

Rebecca Hirst turned 18 on Sunday, just two days after her son, Archie-Lee, was killed by the family pet, which police described as weighing "in the region of seven to 10 stone".

The toddler was spending Christmas at his grandparents' house in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, when the dog launched the attack.

In a statement, Ms Hirst paid tribute to her 16-year-old sister, who fought in vain to save Archie-Lee from the rottweiler's jaws.

She said: "I'd like to say to Kara we are all so proud of her - she tried.

"She's a hero in my eyes and will be respected for what she did for the rest of her life."

Ms Hirst described Archie-Lee as her "world", adding: "It's so hard for me at this time. We shared so many precious memories in the short while that we had together. He is loved by many.

"He will always be in our hearts, never to be forgotten. He's my sleeping angel."

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