Man bailed after grandmother killed by two ‘XL bully’ dogs

UK

A man has been bailed after a grandmother was killed by two dogs at the weekend.

Esther Martin, 68, was attacked inside a house in Jaywick, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.

A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences has been released on conditional bail until 5 March.

He was known to the victim.

Acting Detective Superintendent Stuart Truss said: “We’re making good progress in our investigation into Esther’s death.

“It is an investigation with a number of complexities, but we are determined to give Esther’s family the answers they need.

“We are working with experts to confirm the breed of the dogs. This may take some days but it’s really important we get it right.

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“I would ask people not to speculate about this element – we will establish the facts and we will keep the community in Jaywick updated.”

Ms Martin’s daughter Sonia Martin said the dogs were of the XL bully breed – which was banned at the start of this month – with a total of six puppies and two adult dogs in the property.

She told the BBC: “There were adult XL bully dogs in the property, and my mum had raised concerns to the owners about them being dangerous and quite aggressive.”

Pic: Essex Police
Image:
Pic: Essex Police

Ms Martin added that her mother, from Woodford Green in London, had been “getting her life back together” following the death of another daughter two years ago.

She added: “It’s killed our mum and it’s killed our children’s grandmother. I’m getting married in a couple of years and my mum won’t be at that.”

Chief Superintendent Glen Pavelin said both of the animals were “destroyed inside the house” after officers arrived at the scene.

He told reporters: “Their unflinching bravery and professionalism ensured that there is no ongoing threat to the people of Essex as a result of this incident.”

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