The incident is thought to be the first fatal attack involving registered XL Bully dogs since fresh restrictions on the breed came into force on February 1.Waking up to this news this morning, that was my first thought.
My second being 'Hornchurch!' because I know the area well, and though like any East London area, there are nicer roads and what can be described as less-nice roads, most areas there are definitely in the former camp. And this area was close to Emerson Park, where houses over £1m are often on the market.
It's not the sort of place where you'd expect to find the sort of people who normally own these breeds living...
One person told The Mirror that police had not killed the dogs involved, and had instead 'taken them away'.
That's utterly mindboggling. Why?
Speaking about today's incident, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'A woman in her 50s has died after an incident inside a house in Hornchurch. 'Police were called to Cornwall Close around 1.12pm on Monday, May 20, to reports of a woman attacked by a dog.
'The woman was treated by medics from London Ambulance Service, but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.
'Due to the threat posed, armed officers attended. After assessing the situation, officers were able to safely seize two dogs.
'These were registered XL Bully dogs and prior to officers' arrival had been contained inside a room in the house. They did not leave the house at any time during the incident.
'The family of the woman, who was the owner of the dogs, are being supported by officers.'
What evidential value do live dogs have to the investigation? When set against the threat they pose to the vet techs, kennel workers and police that will have to handle them until a judge hands down a destruction order?
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