AN ELDERLY woman has been mauled to death by two escaped dogs today after the ferocious hounds leapt into her garden.
The woman – aged in her 80s – was savaged in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, by two of her neighbour’s dogs.
In at statement, West Midlands Police said: “We were alerted to an elderly woman being found with serious injuries in a rear garden in Boundary Avenue at around 3.20pm.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency services she was sadly confirmed dead at the scene soon afterwards.
“It’s understood two dogs – which did not belong to the woman who was aged in her 80s – had managed to get into her garden and she was attacked.
“She sustained dog bite injuries although a post mortem will take place in due course to establish the cause of death.”
An elderly neighbour who lives opposite the house said: “I know she’s an old lady like myself and I know he’s called Lucille and old.
“I never heard what happened but it’s so horrible I feel so terrible about it all.”
A neighbour who didn’t want to be named said: “We just came at around 4pm and there were just so many police cars and everything blocking the road.
“We never heard anything that happened and I’m not sure who actually lives there.
“But I do know the neighbour had two dogs which lived at the address. It’s just terrible what’s happened.”
Another neighbour who lives nearby said: “I had popped out to go get some chocolate and when I came back there was just police everywhere.
“We had no idea what had happened but as I was walking past I just heard ‘Where’s the dog?’
“I’m not sure where the dogs came from but I know an elderly lady lived at the address.
“The air ambulance turned up and then a normal ambulance as well and about four police cars.
“But this is such a quiet road you can hear a pin drop usually.
“The closed this road off and it only opened around 7.30pm again.
“It’s just horrific what’s happened and we’re so shocked if she’s an elderly lady in her 80s she would have stood no chance.
“We’ve only seen her a few times in passing but it’s just horrendous.”
Another neighbour said: “I think from what I’ve heard there was a broken fence and they’ve escaped through to there and mailed her to death.
“It’s just horrible what’s happened I didn’t know her personally but it’s terrible.”
Cops said a 43-year-old man was detained in custody on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and death is caused.
The two dogs have been seized and will be examined to find out what breed they are.
Armed police were at the scene, and a dog was seen being carried from a house.
Cops said: “A police scene and presence will remain in place in the area as we work to establish the full circumstances of what happened.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this deeply distressing time.”
An air ambulance landed in Britannia Park and the area was sealed off, the Birmingham Mail reported.
Forensics officers were reportedly at the scene and many residents stood near the cordon as police cars parked nearby.
Two cop cars with dogs are reportedly in the area. Vets were at believed to be at the scene but have since left.
