Elderly woman, 60, mauled to death by 'out of control' dogs, pet owner arrested and 5 bulldogs euthanized
MERSEYSIDE, ENGLAND: An elderly woman was tragically mauled to death by a pack of dogs inside a property. Deputies from Merseyside Police responded to the scene of the incident in St Brigids Crescent, Liverpool, at around 4.25 pm on Wednesday, October 3.
Authorities cordoned off the area from Vauxhall Road to Alderney Road as nearly a dozen police cars, three ambulance vehicles, and a fire engine was spotted nearby Silvester Street. Around two hours later, forensic officers arrived at the scene and took pictures outside before entering the home. The 60-year-old woman, who hasn't been identified, was pronounced dead at the property and her loved ones were informed of the same.
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"It's just so awful, you can't imagine how much the family are hurting right now. They'll be devastated," a nearby resident told the Liverpool Echo. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told the outlet that "at least two dogs" were involved in the attack. Another said she "heard screams" coming from the home after 4 pm. "My husband came home at about 4 pm and I heard a woman's screams at some point after that," she said, "When I heard what happened I was shocked. The family must be devastated, you can't put it into words really." Someone else anonymously added, "Obviously it's sad isn't it, a woman has been mauled to death by the dogs."
"At around 4.25 pm, the ambulance service reported to police of a woman in her 60s being attacked by dogs inside a property on St Brigids Crescent," Merseyside Police said in a statement. "She was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene and her next of kin have been made aware." Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy added, "We understand the shock that this incident will cause in the local community and beyond. Our officers are at the scene carrying out further inquiries."
A Merseyside Police spokesman later revealed that a 31-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control in connection with the incident. "Five American bulldogs, which were inside the property, were handed over and have since been humanely destroyed," the spokesman added.
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According to the Echo, more than 200 dog owners have been prosecuted over canine attacks in the last five years in Merseyside alone. Data recorded by the Ministry of Justice showed that court proceedings were launched last year in 43 cases against Merseyside residents for the crime of allowing their dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place and injuring another person. Of them, 38 cases ended in a conviction and 39 sentences were handed down by the courts. These included one prison sentence, four suspended sentences, 10 community sentences, 18 fines, and three compensation orders. Three of the cases concluded with a conditional discharge, the outlet reported.