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Joanne Robinson: Woman mauled to death by her 'bulldog' was told to get rid of it 2 weeks before tragedy

Dot Robinson, 67, revealed she warned her daughter Joanne Robinson, 43, that 'something bad' was going to happen

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND: A devastated mother begged her daughter to get rid of her pet dog just two weeks before it mauled her to death, she has revealed. Dot Robinson, 67, revealed she warned her daughter Joanne Robinson, 43 that “something bad” was going to happen.

Her fears came true when Joanne was the victim of a fatal attack by her American XL ‘bully’ bulldog named Rocco. The mother-of-two tragically died on July 15 after getting pinned down in the jaws of her pet. Dot said the Robinson family gave their last respect to Joanne at her funeral.

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Dot sensed the danger after she witnessed Rocco fighting with their other older dog Lola, but Joanne insisted she couldn't "give up on him." Dot, of Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire, told the Mirror, “I warned her what would happen but she adored that dog. Our Jo had tried to do everything right but they were just so big and strong,” she added.

Joanne bought Rocco who was the “size of a lion” at around eight weeks from a breeder in Doncaster, Yorkshire, for £4,000. Dot Robinson revealed that Rocco and Lola were like babies to Joanne but problems arose when Rocco and the two-year-old Lola started fighting. Their fights even made Jo cancel her holiday trip and she was planning to hire a dog behaviorist to help.

Jo’s 22-year-old boyfriend, Jamie Stead, gave his best to save her by fighting the lion-size dog but ended up getting severely injured himself. Jamie has wounds on his hands, abdomen, and face. He also has undergone skin grafting to help heal potentially life-changing injuries. After witnessing Jo collapsing on the ground, Jamie phoned Dot asking her for help. But when Dot arrived at their residence, it was already too late.

She said: "We're not coping. None of us. She would not have blamed Rocco for it though. Jo was like that, just lovely. She always picked up waifs and strays. She was a gem and was adored around here. She was my best mate. She was beautiful inside and out." Both of the dogs have been killed after the attack.

In the wake of increasing dog attacks, Dot is urging the government to take strict actions against breeders and bring back dog licenses like there used to be in the 80s. “Something needs to happen now, too many people have died from dog attacks.” Dot said “They should also have special licenses for these bigger breeds. Our Jo had tried to do everything right but they were just so big and strong,’

Joanne’s big sister, Vicky Robinson, 45, wants to see breeders licensed too and said: “I just wished she’d listened to us and got rid of it before it got to this. She thought she could change it but she couldn’t. But I never thought the dog would ever turn on them, it was just not a nice way to live having to worry about them fighting each other. “I told her to get rid of them or at least one. But she was adamant about getting a dog trainer in. I can’t believe she’s gone.”