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Funeral of dog attack baby held | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Mourners have released dozens of pale blue balloons in tribute to a 13-month-old boy who was killed by his grandparents' rottweiler dog. | |
About 150 people gathered at St Paul's Church in Alverthorpe, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, for the funeral of Archie-Lee Hirst. | |
He was spending Christmas at his grandparents' house when he was killed by the family pet on 28 December. | |
The Crown Prosecution Service has said nobody will face criminal charges. | |
Among the mourners at the funeral were his parents, 18-year-old Rebecca Hirst and Damian Williamson, 20. | |
Floral tributes, including ones spelling out "Archie-Lee" and the nickname "Boobar" and one in the shape of children's character Noddy, filled the hearse. | |
'Insufficient evidence' | |
The funeral service was conducted by Reverend Pat Maguire and included a poem written to Archie-Lee's mother as if it was from her son. | |
It read: "Mommy, I wish I could stay. Just like I heard you pray. But all the angels did cry, when they told little me goodbye." | |
The poem continued: "The streets of gold is where I play. You'll come here too, mommy, someday. Until the day you join me here, I'll love you mommy dear. Each breeze you feel and see, brings love and a kiss from me." | |
Archie-Lee Hirst died from multiple injuries | |
After the service, Mr Williamson helped carry his son's blue coffin out of the church before friends and family gathered in the grounds to release the balloons. | |
The family then left for a private service at a local crematorium. | |
Earlier on Monday, police said there was insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution over the boy's death. | |
Archie-Lee was snatched from the arms of a seven-year-old girl as she carried him to the back door of the house in Chald Lane, Wakefield. | |
The animal was said to be used to children and the attack was described as completely unexpected. | The animal was said to be used to children and the attack was described as completely unexpected. |
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has considered the evidence gathered by the police in the course of the investigation. | |
"The decision of the CPS is that the evidence in the case is not sufficient to create a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence." | |