A "lovely and funny" nan was treated in hospital for dog bites a year before she was killed in a horrific attack, the ECHO understands.
Ann Dunn, 65, died at a property in St Brigids Crescent, Vauxhall, on Monday evening after being mauled by "multiple" dogs described by Merseyside Police as American Bulldog breed. Her family realised something was wrong when she did not turn up to collect her grandson from school, according to reports.
Five American Bulldogs were later taken from the property by police and "humanely destroyed".
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The ECHO can reveal that Ms Dunn required hospital treatment in August last year after suffering a number of bites from a large dog, although her injuries on that occasion were not life-threatening. It is unclear whether the dog that attacked her on that occasion was involved in her death.
Tributes have flooded in for Ms Dunn, who worked as a cleaner at Liverpool John Moores University. In a touching statement, a spokesperson for the university said: "The university community is absolutely shocked and devastated by this tragic loss and to lose Ann in this way is just heart-breaking.
"Ann was hard-working and dedicated and had so many friends across the organisation. It’s just awful and she will be terribly missed. Our thoughts at this time are with her family and loved-ones."
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the Mirror that Ann was 'lovely, funny and a happy girl' who had 'not long ago been on holiday with her daughter'.
She said: "She was meant to be picking up her grandson from school and it was only when the school got in touch with his mum to say (he) was still there and no one had come for him that they realised something was wrong. She had gone in to put her bags down and the dogs attacked her, she tried to shut the door but she fell.
"When I found out I was so upset. I couldn’t sleep that night. It’s awful and so sad. I used to see her walking to work, no matter the weather, come rain or shine she’d always walk down and never missed a day."
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control and has since been released on conditional bail pending further investigation. Merseyside Police said a post-mortem exam will also take place on Ms Dunn.
Detective Inspector Katie Coote said: “This is clearly a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the lady who died Our enquiries remain ongoing as we seek to establish what has happened and I would urge anyone who could assist our enquiries to get in touch."
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said the investigation team could not comment on whether the previous attack is part of their enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 22000731247.
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