PENSIONER DIED A WEEK AFTER HE WAS BITTEN BY FAMILY DOG

79-year-old failed to seek medical attention after hand became ‘extremely swollen’

AN inquest has opened following the death of a man who was bitten by the family dog.

Stuart Cooper was found dead by his wife after complaining of ‘shortness of breath’ on October 24 last year.

The 79-year-old, of St Christopher Avenue, Penkhull, had been bitten by their pet more than a week earlier and his arm and hand had become extremely swollen.

But he didn’t seek any medical attention.

Now an inquest has been opened and adjourned into his death at Stoke’s civic centre.

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Sarah Murphy said a cause of death was given as 1A septic shock and 1B cellulitus to left forearm.

She said: “He told his wife he felt unwell when they were shopping.

“When they got home he complained of shortness of breath. His wife went upstairs and when she came downstairs he was unresponsive, not breathing, collapsed on the sofa.

“Paramedics attended and unfortunately he died. Mr Cooper had been bitten by the family pet dog over a week ago and his arm and hand had become extremely swollen. He didn’t see his GP.

“There is reason to suspect the death was unnatural as the post-mortem report said the death was most likely due to the dog bite. Therefore an inquest will be necessary to explore this.

“The family will be given a progress update in six weeks time and an inquest date will be set administratively.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service say it became quickly apparent that nothing could be done to save him.

A spokesman said: “We were called to reports of an elderly man in cardiac arrest at 4.51pm at St Christopher Avenue, Penkhull.

“An ambulance arrived on scene in under three minutes. Sadly, it was quickly apparent that there was nothing that could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”