A 19-year-old woman died after being attacked by a dog in Withywood, Bristol. Two people have been arrested.
A woman was outside, very upset, with neighbors saying she owned the dog. The attack occurred in Withywood, Bristol, at a home on Cobhorn Drive. Police got the call around 7:19 PM on Wednesday, February 26. Officers arrived quickly and closed the road.
They caught the dog and sedated it, beginning a criminal investigation and arresting two people. These included a man and a woman, both in their 20s. They were arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog and a banned dog breed. They were taken into custody that Wednesday night.
Vets will check the dog’s breed, and people think it may be an XL Bully. The dog was put down on Thursday. Police collected evidence until then. It’s unclear if the two are still in custody as they haven’t been charged yet.
A neighbor, Julie Ann, saw flashing lights, while other neighbors heard screaming during the attack. Julie Ann saw the owner was very upset outside and had moved there about two weeks ago. Julie Ann said she seemed nice.
Reports say the victim was visiting; she was the owner’s 19-year-old relative. Police haven’t confirmed their relationship, nor do they know if the victim lived there. Also, police have not shared details of prior contact with the household.
Another neighbor comforted the owner and felt bad for her, stating the attack seemed like a freak accident. This neighbor believed the dog was an XL Bully, having seen the owner walking it. The neighbor felt sad for the owner, who said the dog wasn’t good with men but was fine with women and children, leading her to believe it wasn’t her fault.
Inspector Terry Murphy spoke about the attack at a police press conference near the scene on Thursday afternoon. The ambulance reported a woman was badly hurt from a dog attack inside a home. Officers arrived within five minutes, finding the 19-year-old woman had died there.
Police shared their thoughts were with the family, assigning them a special officer. Police asked that others respect their privacy. Police will investigate what happened, reiterating that they arrested the man and woman for the same reasons as previously mentioned.
The dog stayed inside the house until they secured, sedated, and took it away. Experts will assess the dog. Police know people are shocked but don’t think there is a risk to the public. People can talk to officers if worried. The police want anyone with information to call them at 101.
Inspector Murphy thanked his officers and the ambulance crew, acknowledging these events are very difficult for them and that support is available. People left flowers near the attack site.