A woman was viciously mauled to death by eight dogs she was looking after when they turned on her "like a pack of wolves". The 28-year-old dog walker died after the shocking attack at Gravelly Hill, Surrey, at around 2.45pm on Thursday.
The Mirror reports that the attack took place after one of the hounds bit a fellow dogwalker, before going after their own minder. The rest of the dogs then followed, savaging the woman, according to a witness.
A pair of horse riders discovered the woman as she lay dying. One of the riders told The Sun: “That image will haunt me for a long time.”
Emergency services rushed to the incident but paramedic were unable to save the woman, who died at the scene. Meanwhile, police say eight dogs were captured and are currently being kept in kennels whilst the investigation is ongoing.
The authorities also added that the second woman is not thought to be linked to the woman who died. It is reported that the dogs were not reported to be banned breeds.
Detective Inspector Josephine Horner, senior investigating officer, said: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends and the family have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.
“Specialist teams have been carrying out forensic work at the scene but this has now been completed and the area has re-opened to the public. I know this incident has caused real concerns locally and officers from the local neighbourhood team will be out in the area to provide reassurance for residents.
“The investigation to establish the circumstances around this incident continue and I urge anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to contact us.”
Richard Bream, who runs the nearby Mardens Kennels, told PA he has never heard of a dog attack in the area before. He said: “That particular area, View Point, is an area where professional dog walkers will turn up in their van and take the dogs out and walk them. I’ve always felt you see some of these dog walkers have five or six, and they shouldn’t be able to do that.”
Meanwhile, an unamed woman walking a dog past one of the police cordons says she was stunned by the incident. She said: “It’s a nice circular woodland walk and we’ve never had any issues before. It is so shocking, normal dogs surely wouldn’t do that.”
An unnamed man who lives near the scene claims the spot was very popular with dog walkers. Speaking to the PA, he said: “The dogs dispersed into different areas of the woods and the police helicopter was out looking for them.”
Colin Tennant, of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association claims that an "adrenaline rush" among the dogs may have sparked the attack.
Speaking to the Sun, he said: “The high energy of a fight situation can redirect more aggression back into the melee. Possibly the dog walker has lost balance and has been targeted. When energy gets up in a situation like that, inter-pack fighting can take place and dogs can bite anyone, even if they are trying to help.”
Following the woman's death, a post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Surrey coroner as part of an inquest.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
