A 70-year-old woman was attacked and killed by her family’s dog while sunbathing in her backyard.
The attack took place at the woman’s home in Bedworth, Warwickshire in the UK, where the dog turned on her, leading to her death. Her 49-year-old daughter attempted to step in and save her mother but was injured in the process and could not stop the fatal assault.
The daughter received medical care for her non-life-threatening injuries. Both she and her 52-year-old husband were subsequently arrested by the police on charges related to owning a dog breed considered illegal under UK law.
The specific breed of the dog responsible for the attack remains uncertain. A neighbor mentioned that the dog’s owner referred to it as a rare breed, purportedly with only six of its kind present in the country. The anonymous neighbor added that the dog appeared to be a mix of Bulldog and Mastiff.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in the UK, certain breeds and types of dogs are banned or restricted due to public safety concerns over dog attacks. The breeds or types typically subject to bans or stringent regulations include American pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros.
Superintendent Sutherland Lane from Warwickshire Police assured the public that such incidents of dog attacks are infrequent and expressed his condolences to the community.
