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Flowers left at the elderly woman's home. PA Images

85-year-old woman dies after attack by two dogs from neighbour's house in the UK

A 43-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.

AN 85-YEAR-OLD WOMAN has died after being attacked by two dogs from a neighbouring property in the UK. 

A 43-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident in Rowley Regis, West Midlands and has been subsequently bailed pending further inquiries.

Speaking at a press conference outside West Bromwich Police Station this morning, Superintendent Phil Asquith said: “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. They were tranquilised and transported subsequently to secure kennels where they currently remain and they are being tested to determine their breed.

“Fortunately, these types of incidents are rare. This presented no wider threat to the public. It was a hole in adjacent premises so they weren’t running in the streets,” Asquith added. 

“It was contained and the male who owned those dogs was arrested yesterday. He has subsequently been bailed for further inquiries whilst we undertake a forensic post-mortem to determine the cause of death and to determine the breed of the dogs involved.”

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    Mute Motherofthree
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 12:25 PM

    That’s desperately tragic. What a horrifically scary end for that lady. RIP

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    Mute Jimbob Lucozade
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 12:59 PM

    85 years and that’s how you go out. Awful.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:29 PM

    @Jimbob Lucozade: Absolutely horrendous. Savaged to death. Hope that owner can sleep by night.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:46 PM

    @Dave Barrett: Dreadful way to go. My youngest was just wondering if it could have been avoided. Given that the dog’s have to be tested to determine their exact breed it allows any owner off the hook by saying no my dogs not a violent breed. Any dog, even those with the sweetest, calmest temperament can turn and all dogs bite. It’s their nature. When they have the biting force of lions, some can inflict a lot more damage than your average Jack Russel.

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    Mute Ruby
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 3:01 PM

    @Arch Angel: I just don’t agree with the view that all dogs could do a thing like that. My dog wouldn’t and plenty of others wouldn’t either – there is just no way you can compare a breed like a pit bull against a breed like a bichon for example. If my dog escaped into my neighbours back garden like those two did, that is not what would happen. Certain breeds need to be banned now simple as that.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 3:26 PM

    @Ruby: I appreciate your point of view, I had a Jack Russel who thought he was a rottweiler, in reality he was a lovable coward. I wasn’t so much comparing dogs, rather I was saying that it’s in the nature of all dogs to bite, to snap, they’re all capable of it and, at some point, almost all will.
    As you indicated there are some breeds that have a tremendous biting force, some on a par of a male lion, these are the type of dogs you don’t want, or need, near people. Usually they’re easily identified to experts, but when they have to be seized and carefully examined to establish exactly what breed they are because they may already be banned, well…

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    Mute Sean Whelan
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 6:13 PM

    @Dave Barrett: hope he can’t

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    Mute Tommy the postman
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 6:27 PM

    @Ruby: ask any postman all you hear is he never done that before and don’t kick him the little fella

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    Mute Daftbit Jelly
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    Apr 4th 2021, 11:21 AM

    @Ruby: Absolute nonsense. No such thing as a violent breed. Only bad owners.

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    Mute Daftbit Jelly
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    Apr 4th 2021, 11:23 AM

    @Daftbit Jelly: sorry @ arch angel

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    Mute Lynn Dougherty Quin
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    Apr 5th 2021, 12:37 PM

    @Daftbit Jelly: Wrong. There are breeds that have been selectively bred to have/display aggressive traits. While ”all dogs are individuals”, the ASPCA says: “Despite our best efforts, there will always be dogs of various breeds that are simply too dangerous to live safely in society.” Pit bulls and Rottweilers, for example, have large jaws with a powerful bite that can kill a human. One hundred years ago the pit bull looked very different. It has been bred to have those powerful jaws and lethal biting capability. A Jack Russell or Chihuahua can deliver sharp nips but you’re not going to be savaged to death by one or two of them. There are various articles on dangerous dog breeds and why they shouldn’t be allowed in neighborhoods.

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    Mute Bopper Bops Holland
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:12 PM

    85, look what she’s lived through and then to go out like that, it’s just not right

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    Mute Denise Ní Cinnseala
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 12:46 PM

    Oh my. Thats horrible. The poor lady and her fanily/friends. So terribly sad for everyone

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    Mute Úna O Connor Barrett
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:42 PM

    Put the dogs down.

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    Mute Derek Moean
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:15 PM

    @Úna O Connor Barrett: put the owner Down with the dogs

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:36 PM

    @Derek Moean: agreed

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    Mute Jordan Salanger
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:41 PM

    @Úna O Connor Barrett: They will eventually be put down. Police are just gathering evidence to prosecute owner.

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    Mute #1 Fifthwheel
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 4:53 PM

    @Úna O Connor Barrett: Why? Certain breeds! Dogs doing what is in their nature.. deal with irresponsible owners instead. Typical response, shoot the animal, when in reality the human is to blame.

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    Mute Stephen O'Donoghue
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 6:24 PM

    @#1 Fifthwheel: But would you risk having these 2? In the raal world killers are put away to protect innocent?

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    Mute Cookie
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:09 PM

    Horrible story. The dog owners should be charged with manslaughter.

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    Mute Muriel Ryan
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:05 PM

    Poor Lady R.I.P :(
    What a horrible tragedy for her

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    Mute CmaGoo
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:11 PM

    A horrific way to die. May she rest in peace.

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    Mute Matt Joe Caulfield
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 1:58 PM

    Una O’Connor – I would suggest your suggestion should be the other way I.e. put the ow..r. down

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    Mute Bryan Maguire
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 4:44 PM

    “the male who owned these dogs has been arrested” – was he a human male (that would be a “man”) or are the police still trying to determine his species, much as they are trying to determine the breed of the dogs?

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    Mute Pádraigín O'Sirideáin
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:13 PM

    This poor lady. Very very sad

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    Mute Fiona Krijnen
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 2:57 PM

    Dear god ,
    The poor poor lady good help her ,
    The fear must have been horrific.
    The should be down asp .

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    Mute #1 Fifthwheel
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    Apr 3rd 2021, 4:49 PM

    A horrific, tragic death of an elderly woman. May she rest in peace, condolences to her family.

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