A 34-year-old woman has died after she was attacked by a dog.
Officers were called to an address in Southend by the ambulance service at 11.30pm on Monday.
Essex Police say the woman suffered “serious injuries” and was taken to the Royal London Hospital where she died in the early hours of Wednesday.
The animal involved in the attack has been seized and – after an assessment by a Dog Liaison Officer – was not judged a banned breed.
The force says it is not looking for anyone else and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Two dogs were taken from the address, but just one of them is believed to have been involved.
Officers have not confirmed what breed they are.
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Detective Superintendent Gary Biddle said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the woman involved at this time. While our investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident continues, we would ask that the privacy of the woman’s family is respected.”
There has been a new focus on dog breeds after recent attacks.
In July Kelly Reilly died after being attacked by an American bulldog in Coventry.
And Esther Martin was killed when she was attacked by two dogs in Jaywick, Essex, in February and a man has been charged in connection with that case.
New laws on owning XL bullys came into force on 1 February in England and Wales.
Source Agencies
