Two arrested after dog mauls pensioner to death on street

A WOMAN in her 70s has died after being attacked by a dog on a street in a Warwickshire market town.

The pensioner died in Kathleen Avenue, Bedworth, following the incident, which took place shortly before 4pm on Friday.

A man, 52, and a woman, 49, have been arrested on suspicion of owning a banned breed of dog and having a dog dangerously out of control.

It is understood the two owners were known to the victim. The dog has been seized and poses no ongoing risk to the community, Warwickshire police said.

The arrested woman was taken to hospital and treated for an injury caused by the dog. Her injury is not thought to be life-threatening.

The man has been released on police bail while inquiries continue.

Supt Sutherland Lane said: “This was a tragic isolated incident, and a full investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding it.

‘‘Thankfully dog attacks of this nature are exceedingly rare, but I recognise this will be deeply upsetting for the local community.

“The public can expect to see a heightened police presence in and around the area while we conduct our inquiries.”

By law, the owners of dogs that kill someone may be jailed for up to 14 years or face an unlimited fine or both. Owners of dogs that injure someone may be sent to prison for up to five years or fined or both.

Anyone convicted of having a dog “dangerously out of control” may face an unlimited fine or be jailed for up to six months, or both.

The number of injuries from dog bites has been increasing in recent years.

Between 1998 and 2018, hospital admissions for dogrelated injuries doubled in England to 8,000 a year.

Last year was the worst on record for dog-related deaths – nine in England and Wales. Between 2001 and 2021, the average was 3.3 a year.

Last week, a former rugby league player was sentenced to 16 weeks jail suspended for 12 months after his Border Collie sheepdog attacked a dog walker.

Andy Gregory, a former Wigan scrum-half, admitted having a dangerous dog out of control. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and he must now walk his dog with a lead and muzzle.