Rowley Regis dog attack: Woman, 85, killed after 'dogs get through fence hole'

An 85-year-old woman died after two large dogs got into her garden from a neighbouring property through a hole in a fence and attacked her, police said.

The woman suffered a "sustained" attack and was found with serious injuries in Rowley Regis near Dudley, in the West Midlands, on Friday.

Supt Phil Asquith, of West Midlands Police, said her death was "tragic and horrific".

The two dogs were seized and are being tested to establish their breed.

The 43-year-old owner of the dogs was arrested on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. He was bailed while inquiries continue, police said.

Supt Asquith said neighbours, and family who live nearby, responded "very quickly" to the woman.

Flowers have been placed on the victim's driveway in Boundary Avenue, with one displaying the message "RIP Nan".

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Officers previously said the victim sustained dog bite injuries, but a post mortem examination would take place to establish the cause of death.

Supt Asquith told the conference outside West Bromwich Police Station: "Neighbours called to report that a woman, 85 years of age, was under attack from dogs from a neighbouring property.

"Our officers attended, by which point the dogs had returned through a hole in the fence to the adjacent property and then, unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, that lady died at the scene.

"An operation was then under way to secure the dogs."

He added the dogs were tranquilised and transported to secure kennels where they were being tested to determine their breed.

He described the dogs as "large" but would not speculate on whether or not the dogs were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, adding DNA samples had been taken from them.

"Fortunately, these types of incidents are rare," he said, adding: "This presented no wider threat to the public. It was a hole in adjacent premises so they weren't running in the streets."

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April 03, 2021 at 11:41PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-56624119