Gran, 68, ‘mauled to death by son-in-law’s two XL Bullys’ after she tried to ‘break up fighting puppies’ with a broom
Six XL bully puppies and two adults were in the home
A GRAN who was mauled to death by two “XL Bullys” was trying to break up fighting puppies when she was attacked, her family have revealed.
Esther Martin, 68, was visiting for the weekend to see her grandson, 11, when the vicious hounds snapped.
The 68-year-old had been visiting the coastal village for to see her grandson in a house believed to have had six XL Bully puppies and two adult bullies.
The two adult dogs are said to have launched their attack in the back room as her horrified grandson fled the property to raise the alarm.
Esther’s son-in-law, Drill rapper Ashley Warren, who goes by the name Wyless Man, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous dogs offences.
In November, dog breeder and wannabe rapper Warren posted a Facebook ad offering XL Bully puppies for £500 each.
Today Ashley’s mum, Michelle Stotter, 55, wept as she told how he was trying to give the dogs away to “good homes”.
Michelle also said Ashley’s current girlfriend Jade told her the puppies had been fighting and Esther tried to break it up with a broom.
She claimed the mum and dad – Beauty and Bear – were said to have seen that as an attack on the puppies so they went for her.
Esther’s children Paul Martin, 45, Kelly Fretwell, 46, and Sonia Martin, 47, were at the scene this morning.
Warren allegedly said “don’t tell me what to do with my own f***ing dogs” when new laws were being brought in for the breed, according to Sonia.
Meanwhile, Paul told The Sun: “She came to visit her grandson. The owner of the bullies decided to go out and leave mum with six XL bully puppies and two adults.
“We believe they are all unregistered and uninsured.”
Cops said the breeds will be confirmed later, but the family have claimed they were XL Bully dogs.
The attack comes just days after a ban on XL Bully type dogs came into force.
Chief superintendent Glen Pavelin said: “My thoughts, and those of our officers and staff, are with the family of the woman who died yesterday.
“This incident will be a huge shock to the community and I understand their concerns.
“We’ll have officers in the area throughout today so please come and speak to them if you have any information or are worried.
“Experienced detectives are leading the investigation to identify exactly what has happened.
“I know there will be speculation about the breed of the dogs involved.
Fatal XL Bully attacks
Ian “Scouse” Langley, 54, was protecting his puppy when the animal pounced on him outside a home in Sunderland in October 2023.
Ian Price, 52, was viciously savaged in September 2023 by the beasts as he tried to protect his elderly mum from them after they escaped.
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed in May 2023 entered the dog’s pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death while walking a pack of dogs in January 2023 was believed to have been killed by her own pet – an American Bully XL.
Shirley Patrick, 83, died 17 days after being mauled in a “hellish”, violent dog attack in December 2022.
Ian Symes, 34, who was known to friends as “Wiggy”, died at a recreation ground in Fareham, , after the savage attack in August 2022.
Joanne Robinson, 43, was fatally mauled by pet Rocco at her home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in July 2022.
Keven Jones, 62, went into cardiac arrest after being bitten by Cookie-Doe at Chanel Fong’s home in Wrexham, North Wales in May 2022.
Bella-Rae Birch, one, was mauled to death in March 2022 at her home by the American Bully XL.
, 10, was killed by a hulking XL Bully dog named Beast in November 2021 as he played at friend’s home in Caerphilly.
“We’re waiting for confirmation from experts about this before releasing further details and I’d ask people not to speculate.
“If anyone has any information about what has happened please contact us.”
If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please contact police quoting incident 723 of February 3.
If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity @Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
