A FORMER North Wales newspaper sub-editor died after his dog accidentally bit his thumb when he tried to feed her a biscuit, an inquest concluded.
Philip Mark Jones, known as “Mark” and of Highbury Avenue, Prestatyn, died on December 8, 2022 aged 61 in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, having developed sepsis from the dog bite.
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, reached a conclusion of an accidental death at a full inquest in Ruthin today (April 21).
A medical cause of death was ruled as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and coronary artery disease, as a result of Mr Jones developing sepsis.
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Mr Jones’ wife, Yvette Byrne Jones, said in a statement that the couple had adopted a Jack Russell Terrier called “Lili” roughly 18 months prior to his death.
On December 5, she said he put her to bed, giving the dog her usual bedtime treat.
He gave the dog another biscuit, but as she took it, she took hold of Mr Jones’ thumb and bit it.
The following morning, Mr Jones told his wife that his thumb was “throbbing a bit”, but that there was no swelling or pain.
That evening, though, he told her he had difficulty working with it.
On December 7, he was sent home from work as he was struggling to hold anything, and was told by a pharmacist he needed antibiotics and a possible tetanus.
When he visited his GP in Prestatyn that day, he was told there were no available appointments until December 8, and was told to visit a minor injuries unit if the matter was urgent.
Mr Jones said he could not drive, to which he was told: “That’s not my problem”, his wife added.
When his wife returned from work, she was “shocked” to see the state that she found him in, adding that he had “awful bruising over his head”.
She took him to Glan Clwyd immediately, arriving at about 5.10pm, where Mr Jones was seen to by the hospital’s resuscitation services.
Both she and her son, Michael (Mr Jones’ stepson) were able to see him while in hospital, where he told them: “I’ve got sepsis, but I’m not going to die”.
“Even though he was so poorly, he wanted to protect me, and told me not to worry,” Mrs Byrne Jones said.
Despite the hospital’s best efforts to save him, Mr Jones died at 4.30am on December 8 with his wife and stepson beside him, holding his hand.
Mr Jones first met his wife at school, before they married in 2004 after reconnecting with each other.
As well as his involvement with the Rhyl Journal, North Wales Pioneer and North Wales Chronicle newspapers, he also owned The Beautiful Game - a football memorabilia shop on Prestatyn High Street.
He was a Chester FC supporter, and served as vice-chairman of Prestatyn Town.
Later in life, he worked at St Melyd Golf Club, serving refreshments.
Mrs Byrne Jones added: “He was the most loving, caring, supportive, devoted husband and stepdad.
“I miss him beyond measure, but I’m so thankful and grateful that we were able to share our lives together for 20 wonderful years.
“I would like to extend my gratitude and respect to everyone in A&E and the high dependency unit, who played their part in making Mark comfortable, reassuring him, and trying their absolute best to save his life.
“Everyone works under such demand and pressure, but we were treated with dedication, kindness and love.”
Dr Richard Pugh, consultant in aesthetics and intensive care medicine at Glan Clwyd, cared for Mr Jones following his admission to hospital.
His initial assessment was that Mr Jones was “clearly very unwell”, and that he appeared “mildly confused”, with a rash on his face.
A dog bite was evident on his right thumb and the base of his thumb, while blood test results indicated severe clotting abnormalities as a consequence of developing sepsis.
Dr Pugh said that Mr Jones “sadly continued to deteriorate”, and that “death appeared inevitable”.
The post-mortem examination conducted after Mr Jones’ death found a swollen hand and forearm, and small cuts on his right thumb, but no evidence of significant underlying disease processes.
There was some evidence within his coronary arteries of small clots, but nothing of significance, save for the evidence of sepsis.
Within Mr Jones’ cardiac system, his left ventricle was said to be enlarged.
Concluding, Mr Gittins said: “It’s clear that the accident, which was the dog bite, was the unintended consequence of what he was doing at the time; feeding the dog a biscuit.”
Addressing Mrs Byrne Jones, he added: “It’s a glowing testimonial that you make to your husband, and I’m sure that you miss him hugely.
“You have my very, very sincere condolences in relation to his passing.”
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