A TRAGIC 12-day-old baby was pictured in his mum's arms days before she was arrested after he was mauled to death by a dog.

Baby Elon was rushed to hospital after the horror on Sunday but sadly couldn't be saved.

His mum Abigail Ellis, 27, was held alongside fiance Stephen Joynes, 35, on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

They are currently being quizzed in custody.

Ellis had posted a touching photo on Facebook of her with the tiny baby just 11 days before he was savaged by the animal.

She also posted a snap of the tot on September 2.

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

One of her pals revealed today how Elon's death is the second tragedy to hit the family in just 18 months.

Joel – the father of Ellis' three other children – died just last year from sepsis.

The friend, who didn't want to be named, told The Sun: "Her partner Joel died 18 months ago. They were planning a wedding but it never happened.

"She’s never had it easy but she met Stephen and fell pregnant and saw this as a fresh start.

"She felt guilty about getting into a new relationship because she and Joel had been childhood sweethearts.

"But baby Elon was her ray of hope amid the tragedy."

Emergency crews were scrambled to the home on Sunday afternoon after he was attacked by the family dog.

Horrified neighbours claimed the dog was strong enough to drag three police officers into the road as they desperately tried to remove it from the home.

Local Sally Hooley said: “I drove by as the police were removing the dog.

“It was a big fluffy golden thing. It didn’t look like a dangerous breed.

“But police were struggling  to get it into the dog van.

"It was strong enough to be dragging three officers into the road.” 

Another neighbour burst into tears as she said: "She was a brilliant mum but her whole life fell apart when he died.

"She lost everything."

While one local said: "It is heartbreaking, it's a tragedy upon a tragedy."

Devastated Debbie Kitchen, who knows the family, said: "This was a tragic accident.

"RIP little man fly high with the angels."

It is not known if the dog – believed to be a crossbreed – has been destroyed.  

Friend Louise Scott wrote on Facebook: "Absolutely devastating news. 

"Two parents have just lost a child and three other children a brother in such terrible circumstances.

"Sleep tight little man."

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "On arrival at the property, emergency services discovered a 12-day-old baby boy had been bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries."

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