Policeman called to fatal XL bully attack describes 'chaotic scene' as he arrived
A police officer who was first at the scene of a fatal XL bully attack says there are "not many days" when he does not think about it.
Ten-year-old Jack Lis died in the incident at a property in Caerphilly county in November 2021.
Brandon Hayden, 19, and Amy Salter, 29, were jailed in June 2022, after admitting being in charge of the dog, named Beast, at the time.
The XL bully ban came into force in England and Wales earlier this year.
Jack's mother, Emma Whitfield, had been campaigning for new dog legislation since her son's death.
Sergeant Ross Phillips works for Gwent Police and had just started his shift when he responded to the incident, along with his colleague Sergeant Isabelle Coulson.
Both Sergeant Phillips and Sergeant Coulson have been nominated for a St David Award - a Welsh government initiative - in the bravery category.
"It was a very chaotic scene to say the least," Sergeant Phillips told Sky News ahead of the awards ceremony.
"It was unclear exactly what was going on at that point. It quickly became apparent that the young lad, Jack Lis, was still inside the premises and the dog was also inside with him.
"So it was just a question of obviously managing that scene, getting Jack out of the house, and securing the dog before it could get to any other members of the public."
Sergeant Coulson distracted the dog by "knocking on the window" which allowed Sergeant Phillips to retrieve Jack from the house and transfer him to paramedics when they arrived.
Sadly, it soon became apparent that Jack had died at the scene.
In his 20-year career, Sergeant Phillips said, the incident "definitely stands out".
"It's just really sad for Jack's mother, and the rest of his family," he said.
"Not many days go past when you don't think about it at some point.
"I've got young children of my own so you just think about it from your perspective really as well."
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He said he was "very grateful" to have been nominated for the award.
"I don't consider it a particularly brave thing, just doing your job," he added.
The other St David Awards nominees in the bravery category are Callum Smith from Porth, Owain Williams, Victoria James, Stephen Wardman and Ross Wellington from Caerphilly and PC Cath Parry from North Wales Police.
