‘There was no barking – just her screaming’
Two dachshunds were among eight dogs seized after a woman was mauled to death in Surrey earlier this week.
A 28-year-old from London, who has not yet been identified, died after she was set upon by the dogs she was walking in Gravelly Hill, Caterham, on Thursday.
Police seized eight dogs following the incident and MailOnline has since reported that two were Dachshunds and one was a Leonberger, which can weigh up to 11 stone (70kg). The dogs, none of which are thought to be a dangerous or forbidden breed, are being detained as investigations continue.
Witnesses to the incident have since told how the victim tried to keep passerby away, telling one to “turn back” as she was being attacked by “multiple dogs”.
Read more: Surrey dog attack woman screamed ‘turn back’ as she was ‘attacked by multiple dogs’, witness says
The Mail report quoted sources saying the animals were like a “pack of wolves” and that there was “no barking – just her screaming”.
“She was being attacked, she was trying to sit up, but with the dogs around her and going for her arms she couldn’t do it. It was a frenzy,” the source told the publisher.
The woman, reports suggest, was walking up to seven dogs when the incident unfolded, when one of them tried to lunge at a woman and her smaller dog.
The source told the Mail: “Most of them may have been still on their leads.
“They were tangled round her, meaning she couldn’t stand. It was impossible for them to get away, so in their frenzy they just went for what was in front of them.”
It was not clear how many of the dogs attacked the woman. Reports suggest that only one of them was of substantial size.
An eyewitness told Sky News she was riding a horse with her friend when they saw the woman who was killed on the ground “being attacked by multiple dogs”.
Sue Dove said: “She screamed at us to turn back and with that, two of the loose dogs ran towards us and the horses… my horse spun round and bolted and I eventually fell.”
The witness said she felt “sadness” for the victim, but also was “frustrated people are able to walk so many dogs”.
“This lady was clearly out of control for whatever reason, had fallen to the ground, being attacked.”
Police confirmed on Friday that they had detained eight dogs at the scene who remain in the custody of police. Their owners having been identified and informed as “the investigation continues”.
Police believe they have all the dogs involved in the incident.
No arrests have been made.
Inspector Lyndsey Whatley, Borough Commander for Tandridge, said: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“I know that yesterday’s events will be of real concern to the local community and I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police whilst we investigate the circumstances of what has happened.”
Whatley said members of the public should contact the force quoting PR/45230004384 via their website, www.surrey.police.uk, or its reporting tool, or by calling 101.
Jenny Gaffney, Liberal Democrat Councillor at Tandridge District Council, said the community has been left shocked by the attack: “It’s absolutely shocking and it’s incredibly sad for the poor lady who died and the woman who has been injured.
“We’re all waiting to find out what happened. There’s an awful lot of speculation on social media at the moment which isn’t helpful for the family of the poor lady who died.”
The death of Ann Dunn, 65, in October was the ninth fatal attack in 2022, making it the deadliest year on record.
Related links:
- Surrey dog attack woman screamed ‘turn back’ as she was ‘attacked by multiple dogs’, witness says
- Dog walker, 28, identified as woman killed in savage attack as eight dogs are seized
- 21 school kids injured after two dogs attacked their playground
- Woman mauled to death by two hunting dogs during morning stroll
- Two kids killed and mum in hospital with horrific injuries after pet pit bulls turn on them in savage attack
