Man jailed after baby mauled to death by dog he knew was dangerous
Baby left alone with aggressive dog
Stephen Joynes, 36, was in his garden at their Woodlands home when one of his partner’s other children sounded the alarm. Baby Elon Ellis-Joynes had been left alone inside the house. When Joynes rushed in, he found baby Elon seriously injured on the living room floor. The family dog, a Chow Chow and Alsatian cross named Teddy, was growling over the child.
Emergency efforts fail to save baby
Paramedics were called to the house on Welfare Road, but despite their desperate efforts, baby Elon was pronounced dead at hospital. The tragic attack happened just after 3.20pm on 13 September 2020.
Owner sentenced for dangerous dog causing death
At Sheffield Crown Court today, Joynes was jailed for four years. He admitted owning and controlling a dog dangerously out of control, which caused injury resulting in death. The court heard Joynes had known Teddy was a threat. Teddy had previously bitten another of his partner’s young children. Neighbours had even raised their fences to stop Teddy jumping into their gardens after escaping and intimidating them.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley said: “This was an utterly tragic incident that left a family and the wider community completely devastated. Any death is a tragedy, but the loss of a young baby in such awful circumstances makes this even more upsetting. My thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the family today.”
Partner cleared of charges, dog destroyed
Joynes and his partner, Abigail Ellis, baby Elon’s mother, were both charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Ellis pleaded not guilty and the charges against her were later dropped. Teddy the dog has been destroyed.
