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Jackson, who was born Saturday, died at the Waikato hospital more than 24 hours after a dog attacked him at his mother’s home in Hamilton on Sunday.
In a more tragic twist, the boy’s father had died several months earlier, too early to know that he was going to become a father.
In an exclusive interview with the Herald, his grandparents revealed that they only learned of his birth when the boy’s mother contacted them when he was fighting for his life.
“We got a phone call around 10pm on Sunday night [Jackson’s mother’s] Midwife from Waikato Hospital who advised us to go there, “Vera said.
“He told us that the baby was ‘beautiful’ and a ‘good’ boy … he had been bitten, but he was still alive. We didn’t even know the baby was born at that stage.”
On Sunday afternoon, the boy’s mother had gone to the bathroom when a dog on the property attacked Jackson; dragging him into the garden and then trying to bury him.
Emergency services rushed to the boy at a home in the Hamilton suburb of Enderley.
On Tuesday morning, police confirmed that the baby had died overnight and the matter had been referred to the coroner.
“The baby was left alone with two dogs that were in the house. [Jackson’s mother] She is devastated and crushed by what happened, “Vera said.
Her mother has shared a photo on social media of herself sitting on the grass looking out over a river. She shared a heartfelt message: “If only I could go back to this day with [you] still in my tummy, my son. “The mother-of-two ended the sentence with a sad emoji.
Close friends and family have offered their condolences and support.
One wrote: “I have no words, my friend. We are all trying to bear your loss for you, but I guess you won’t even feel it because the weight is so heavy.
“We love you … and we have you. Hold on and breathe.”
Vera told the Herald of New Zealand Jackson’s father Anton, who died in April of an alleged suicide, had no idea he was going to be a father.
“I think if I knew I was going to be a father, I would still be here. Prison doesn’t make people better,” Vera said.
In 2016, Anton Zabiyaka vandalized hotel rooms in Hamilton in a drug-fueled frenzy. Then he armed himself with a hammer and made his way to Otorohanga. He was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison.
Zabiyaka, then 32, had a string of convictions that included aggravated robbery, assault and possession of methamphetamine.
He was released in December of last year.
Vera, Viktor and their two sons immigrated to New Zealand from Russia in 1997 for “a better life.”
“It’s hard to accept that your son is dead, but as a grandmother, I can’t really believe what has happened; it is unthinkable to lose two members of your family in a matter of months,” Vera said.
The date of Jackson’s funeral has not yet been decided.
Hamilton City Council now has a Rottweiler and one other dog, believed to be a type of Staffordshire Terrier.
The chair of the Dog Control Hearing Panel, Council Member Ewan Wilson, said the Rottweiler was registered but the other dog was not.
“We were asked to respond on behalf of the police. The animal is being held until the police complete their investigation,” Wilson said.
“If the investigation leads to charges, we will continue to keep the animal safe until the court’s decision.
“If the court rules that the dog must be destroyed, we will destroy it.”
Wilson said that if police choose not to press charges, the owner could turn the dog over to the council and it would be euthanized.
“But if the police do not press charges, the owner of the dog could request that it be returned and the position of the council is that we would not do it immediately.”
The council would begin its own investigation using animal control legislation.
The subject of any council investigation would be the registered owner, as well as who was in control of the dog at the time of the attack.
Wilson could not comment on which dog was responsible for the attack or the breed and registration of the other dog.
“That information is at the center of the police investigation,” he said.
Where to get help:
• Life line: 0800 543 354 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 SUPPORT) (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (from 13:00 to 23:00)
• Helpline for depression: 0800 111 757 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
