Grandma in 70s mauled to death as she sunbathed by ‘banned and out-of-control’ family dog with her daughter hospitalised

A GRANDMA was mauled to death by an alleged out-of-control family dog as she sunbathed in the garden of her home.

The horror savaging - the latest in a wave of fatal dog attacks across the country - happened while the woman in her 70s was lying on a sun lounger at home in Bedworth, Warwickshire, on Friday afternoon.

The victim’s daughter, 49 - named locally as office worker Anita Singh - desperately tried to fight off the animal as it pounced on her mum, a local said.

She was bitten as she tried in vain to save her mother and was later taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Both she and her builder husband, 52 - understood to be Jas Singh, and nicknamed Billy - were arrested on suspicion of possessing a banned breed of dog and owning a dog dangerously out of control.

The couple have three children - a teen son and daughter who live at home - and a University student son.

The dad has been released on bail while inquires continue and the mum remains in hospital.

Their semi-detached home in a quiet cul-de-sac remained sealed off by police while neighbours told of their shock.

A householder, who lives opposite, said: “The are a lovely family, three generations live in the house, and it is a terrible thing to have happened.”

The man, who declined to be named, told how he spoken briefly to the dog-owner after he was freed on police bail.

He said: “The dog attacked his mum-in-law while she was in the back garden lying on a sun lounger.

“Jas is very shocked and shaken and said had no idea why the dog suddenly turned and described it as an awful tragedy.

“He was at work at the time so didn’t see the attack but Anita tried to get the dog off.

“Police say it was a banned breed but I’m not sure. I don’t know what it was quite a size with a big head, a Bulldog Mastiff-type.

“When Jas got it he said it was a rare breed and there were only six in the country.

“It was kept in the back garden and whenever I saw it being walked which was not very often because he was always busy at work in the building industry it never showed any aggression.

“No one knows why it attacked and liked the poor woman, it could have gone crazy after being stung by a bee orbit could have had something wrong with its brain. It could be anything.”

The neighbour was alerted to an incident at around 3.50pm yesterday after seeing an ambulance pull up at the house.

He explained: “I thought something may be going on with their daughter because she is disabled and sometimes in need of medical attention to on.

“Then suddenly all these cops cars were there, at least seven, a dog van, three ambulances and an air ambulance.

“When we heard the gran had died I was shocked.”

Another resident said: “They are an Asian family, very nice and  always very friendly and have lived here for over 20 years, longer than us.

“We live right opposite and it is a shock for all the neighbours.

“The gran was a nice old lady and would always give you a wave.”

The man, who also declined to be named, said: “She appeared fit and healthy and I’d often see her going to the mosque to pray.

“I heard the air ambulance coming over and then saw all the other emergency services turn up.

“I have no idea of the breed of dog but it was big one and lived outside.”

The man added: “There’s been a lot of fatal dog attacks recently. I’m a dog owner and have an Akita, an American version. He’s big but as soft as a brush.

“It’s horrible to find out that your neighbour has been killed by the family dog. My heart goes out to them.”

The victim has not yet been named by police.

The dog has been seized and placed in secure kennels.

A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: “A woman in her 70s was sadly declared deceased at the scene and her next of kin is aware.

“Attending officers contained and seized the animal to a secure facility, and there is no ongoing risk to the wider community.

“A 52-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of possession of a banned breed of dog and owning a dog dangerously out of control.

“The woman is currently in hospital and being treated for an injury sustained by the dog.

"Her injury is not believed to be life threatening. The man has been released on police bail while enquiries continue.”

Superintendent Sutherland Lane added: “This was a tragic isolated incident, and a full investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding it.

“Thankfully dog attacks of this nature are exceedingly rare, but I recognise this will be deeply upsetting for the local community.

“The public can expect to see a heightened police presence in and around the area while we conduct our enquiries.

"Please do come and speak to one of our officers if you have any information that could help with our investigation.”

Ten people were killed by dogs in the UK in 2022 with another five deaths already this year.