An 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped being attacked by dogs that killed his grandmother by running into the street and screaming for help, according to the victim’s daughter.
Two dogs attacked and killed Esther Martin, 68, at a property in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, on Saturday afternoon, while she was visiting her grandson.
Her daughter, Sonia Martin, told the BBC her nephew had escaped by running out of the house and into the street, where neighbours armed themselves with spades to fight off the dogs.
“My nephew went out into the road screaming for help, and we’d really like to thank all the neighbours in the road for coming and helping to try and save my mum’s life,” said Martin, who lives in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
“But unfortunately she passed away from the injuries she sustained in that attack.”
Essex police arrested a man, 39, on suspicion of dangerous dogs offences. He has since has been released on conditional bail until 5 March.
Officers at the scene destroyed the two dogs.
Martin said the two dogs lived at the property along with six puppies and that they were all XL bullies, a breed that was added to the list of those banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act on 31 December. It is now illegal to sell or breed the dogs, and they can only be kept as pets if owners have registered them for an exemption, and keep them muzzled and on a lead in public.
Police have not confirmed the breed of the dogs involved in the attack, and said it may take a number of days to establish.
Acting Det Supt 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.”
The dogs’ owner reportedly told Esther Martin to use a broom to distract the puppies if they began fighting, and it is thought it was while she was doing this that she was attacked.
“As far as we’re aware, the puppies were fighting,” Sonia Martin said, adding her mother had thought the dogs were “dangerous and quite aggressive”. “My concern was if my nephew hadn’t run out of the house what could have then happened to him? He’s 11.”
Neighbours reported hearing screaming that “sounded horrific” for about 10 minutes during the incident, with people seen shouting outside the property and “whacking at the windows”.
