A TEN-year-old boy has died following a "horrific" dog attack after visiting a school friend's house.
Cops confirmed they attended a residential property in South Wales where a dog destroyed by firearms officers.
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Forensics officers and cops remain at the scene Credit: WNS
Neighbours said they phoned police after hearing screaming coming from the home in Pentwyn, near Caerphilly.
It's thought the boy, 10, was playing at a schoolfriend's house.
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Both children are believed to be pupils at nearby Cwm Ifor Primary school.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, cops said.
Eyewitnesses said they saw more than a dozen emergency service vehicles near the house, WalesOnline reports.
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One neighbour described the scene as "horrific," adding: "I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life."
Forensic officers are understood to remain at the scene, with several neighbouring properties cordoned off.
Local shop worker Tarjit Sandhu, 67 said the beast had recently been brought into the area, and a family volunteered to look after it for a few hours as a favour to the owner.
He said: “The little boy who died was at the house with his little friend when the dog attacked.
“It is a fighting dog, an American pit bull, it hasn’t been in the village very long.
“A few days ago, it was tied up outside the shop where I work when a man customer bent down to stroke it.
“The dog bit him on the arm, it was quite a nasty bite.”
Mr Sandhu said the attack had left the community in a state of shock and disbelief. “It’s a dreadful thing to happen,” he said.
Another local businessman said: "It happened soon after the children came home from school. I heard there were screams and shouting. It's awful."
Gwent Police confirmed they were called to an address in Pentwyn, Penyrhoel, at around 3.55pm today.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hobrough said: "Officers will be making further enquiries at this time and will remain at the scene as the investigation progresses.
"It is possible that you may see ongoing police activity in Caerphilly as part of this work.
"You may have also seen an increased presence earlier today while officers were attending the incident, but please do not be alarmed.
"If you have concerns or information then please do stop and talk with us."
Officers urged anyone with information to call 101.
Police are interviewing the dog’s owner who according to locals had only had him for a few days.
And local councillor Lindsay Geoffrey Whittle said: "The entire community is in total shock at such a terribly devastating incident.
"We are all thinking of their loved ones. It’s absolutely tragic, heart-breaking.”
She added: "It is just too tragic for words. I'm in tears just thinking about what happened.
"I've spoken to the head and it is going to be very difficult to tell all his friends and classmates what has happened.
"This is an entre village in shock. I'm heartbroken for his poor parents and we are all devastated."
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Parts of the street are cordoned off Credit: WNS
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