The owner of the dog which attacked and killed a young woman at a house in South Bristol on Wednesday evening was ‘hysterical’ in front of her home as police and paramedics arrived on the scene and tried to save the life of a woman inside.
Neighbours told of the scene of horror and tragedy outside the house in Withywood where paramedics were called just after 7pm, to reports that a 19-year-old had been badly injured by a large breed of dog, which police now believe is an ‘XL Bully’ type.
Paramedics arrived at the upstairs flat of a converted former council house in Cobhorn Drive and alerted the police at 7.19pm. Efforts to save the 19-year-old victim, who is yet to be officially named, proved in vain and she was pronounced dead at the scene. In the downstairs flat, neighbour Julie Ann said she first realised something was wrong when she saw the flashing lights.
She told Bristol Live the woman who lived in the flat upstairs had only moved in around two to three weeks ago. “She was outside the front in absolute hysterics,” she said. “She’s only moved in maybe two weeks ago, but I was getting to know her. She seems very nice. She had a partner who was there a lot, they are just a young couple.
“It’s just such a shock, I’m very shocked. It was just awful. There were so many police here. I had the forensics going in the back garden last night, they were here until about one in the morning,” she added.
Paramedics tried in vain to save the young woman, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog remained in the flat the entire time, and was sedated and collared before being taken away. Police confirmed this afternoon, Thursday, that the dog had been put down. Today, flowers had been left on the gate to the property.
Police also confirmed that two people – aged in their 20s – had been arrested on suspicion of the offence of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, and possession of a prohibited breed of dog. They were taken into custody that night.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the 19-year-old who died was a relative of the dog’s owner, the woman who lived in the flat, and was just visiting at the time of the attack. Police declined to confirm any details of the relationship, or whether the victim of the incident lived in the property.
Another neighbour, who declined to be named, tried to comfort the young woman in her front garden. “The moment she walked out the door I could hear her, and I ran over to her and said, ‘Are you okay?’ She couldn’t talk or say a word,” she said. “It was like she wasn’t there because of the shock.
“I genuinely feel that this was one of those freak accidents and wasn’t her fault – that’s how I feel. She seemed a lovely girl,” the neighbour added. “I am still trying to process this. I was up all night awake trying to process this. I am shocked. I just can’t believe it’s happened and she hasn’t been there that long.”
The woman said she was certain the dog was an XL bully and had seen it on a lead with its owner. “I do feel so sad for the dog owner. She did mention the dog wasn’t great with men, fine with women and children. I feel for her so, so much. It wasn’t her fault,” she added.
Just a short distance from the scene of the tragedy on Cobhorn Drive, the Neighbourhood Inspector for this part of South Bristol, Terry Murphy, confirmed the dog had been put down, and that the 19-year-old who died was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.
“I’d also like to thank the officers and paramedics who attended yesterday evening and tried to save her life. Support is in place for them. A full investigation is now well underway to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, including neighbourhood officers, and if you have any concerns please do speak to them,” he added.