A dog owner has been released on police bail after a London great-grandmother was mauled to death by two suspected unregistered XL Bullies.
Esther Martin, 68, from Woodford Green, had been attacked at a property in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick, near Clacton, Essex while looking after her 11-year-old grandson.
Retired Tesco worker Mrs Martin was left alone indoors with two adults called Beauty and Bear and six puppies.
Neighbours described hearing “horrific” screams lasting 10 minutes. The boy got out and ran for help before residents armed with spades tried to get in to rescue Mrs Martin by breaking a window with a brick.
The fatal attack only ended when six police officers entered and shot the animals dead - days after a ban on unregistered XL Bully dogs came into force following a series of maulings.
Their owner, would-be drill rapper Ashley Warren - the father of Ms Martin’s grandson - had reportedly been trying to sell XL puppies at £500 in November.
A 39-year-old man known to Mrs Martin was under arrest on Sunday night on suspicion of dangerous dog offences. In an update on Monday morning, police said the man had been released on conditional bail until March 5.On Sunday, Ms Martin’s children Sonia Martin, 47, Paul Martin, 45, and Kelly Fretwell, 46, visited the scene.
Sonia said their mother had been worried about the dogs, telling reporters: “Mum had raised concerns about the dogs, about them being dangerous and quite aggressive.
“They were XL Bullies. There were eight in the house, six puppies and two adults. None neutered, not registered. The owner’s words were, ‘No one is going to tell me what to do with my own f****** dogs’.”
Chief Superintendent Glen Pavelin declined to comment on the breed of the dogs which had been destroyed by officers.
He said: “I know there is speculation about the breed of the dogs involved and we are working with experts to establish this.“I would ask you not to speculate, we will establish the facts and we will keep the community of Jaywick updated.”
