Family of dog walker, 28, mauled to death by eight hounds share their heartache after ‘sudden loss’

THE family of a dog walker who was mauled to death have shared their agony at the “sudden loss”.

The 28-year-old was out with a pack of hounds in leafy Surrey when she was fatally mauled on January 12.

Now, family of the woman – who has not been named – have shared how they’re struggling to deal with the “sudden loss”.

A family statement shared through Surrey Police said: “This is an extremely difficult time for us and as well as dealing with this sudden loss in our family, the significant level of media interest and the graphic nature of some of the reporting, has been a source of additional distress.

“We continue to appeal for our privacy to be respected during our time of grief.”

Days prior to her death, the woman was reportedly spotted getting “agitated” while looking after eight animals in the North Downs area.

A couple, who often visit Gravelly Hill in Caterham, said they think they crossed paths with the woman when she had lost an eight-week-old puppy.

She allegedly asked them if they had seen the pup and they described her as seeming “distressed”.

The couple, who did not want to be named, told  the walker bundled seven dogs into her car while she went to search for the missing one.

They also claimed to have been walking their own dogs on the same site about half an hour before the woman was killed.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 2.45pm on January 12 to reports of a dog attack.

Paramedics tried to save the woman, from London, but she sadly died.

Another woman was taken to hospital with non life-threatening bite injuries. She has since been discharged.

Surrey Police detained a total of eight dogs, not believed to be banned breeds, at the beauty spot.

A Leonberger named Shiva, six, has not yet been returned to her owner.

The 11-stone German-origin pooch appeared in a 2017 BBC programme about bad puppy behaviour.

Two dachshunds, a cockapoo and a collie are also among the seized dogs, it is believed.

Witnesses recounted the horrific scenes, with one saying: “This vision will haunt me for a long time.”

Another said “there was no barking, just screaming” as the dogs turned on the woman “like a pack of small wolves”.

And a third claimed she shouted “go back, go back” to bystanders.

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.”

A post-mortem examination will be conducted as part of an inquest into the death.

Surrey Police said no arrests have been made.