The father of a four-year-old New Brunswick boy told a coroner's inquest Monday about the day three Rottweiler dogs mauled his son to death.

Ron Waddell said he left his son, James, alone in his house near Saint John last March while he and his friends went to the basement to do some electrical work.

Waddell told the inquest he knew it wasn't good when he saw one of the Rottweilers standing with a mouthful of blood.

Ron Waddell
Ron Waddell

Waddell testified he saw his son's torn clothes strewn across the yard and his snow boots near the front door. He told the inquest he ran to the house to phone for help.

The dogs belonged to a family friend who had been staying at the Waddell home.

Police say the boy, who was inside with one dog, walked out of the house to look for his father. Three other Rottweilers were loose outside.

Investigators say the three dogs outside attacked him and dragged him to the back of the house where he died. All four dogs were destroyed.

No charges laid

No charges were laid in the case. The RCMP says there's no evidence the dogs were trained to be aggressive or had shown aggressive behaviour before.

Coroner Dianne Kelly says about 40 witnesses are expected to testify, including police investigators.

RCMP Sgt. Major Bob Gallup says the boy's violent death was traumatic for everyone involved, including police.

"You know, you gear yourself up to it, and you get through the investigation. But then you're left with the memories and the visions of whatever you've seen, and you have to deal with that."

The inquest will make recommendations about how to prevent a similar tragedy.