A 70-year-old woman was attacked and killed by her family’s dog while sunbathing in her backyard on Friday, June 2.
This incident marks the fifth dog-related fatality in the UK this year.
The dog pounced on the unidentified woman at her Bedworth, Warwickshire home, leading to her death. Her 49-year-old daughter attempted to intervene and protect her mother. However, she too suffered injuries from the dog and was unable to prevent the fatal mauling.
The daughter received medical treatment for her non-life-threatening injuries after the incident. The police arrested her and her 52-year-old husband on the grounds of owning a dog breed prohibited under UK law. However, their specific identities remain undisclosed.
The exact breed of the dog involved in the attack is currently uncertain. A neighbor said that the dog’s owner had referred to it as a rare breed, claiming that only six of its kind existed in the country. The neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the dog seemed to have a Bulldog-Mastiff-like appearance.
In the UK, there are certain dog breeds and types that are prohibited or subject to restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The legislation was enacted to address concerns about dog attacks and public safety. The following breeds or types are typically banned or require strict regulations in the UK: American pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros.
Warwickshire Police Superintendent Sutherland Lane assured the community that such dog attacks are rare and expressed sympathy for the residents.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
