Jaywick dog attack: Two beasts that mauled gran, 68, to death inside home WERE XL Bullies, cops confirm
Owner of beasts begs for breed to be 'wiped out'
THE two beasts that mauled a gran to death were XL Bullies, cops have today confirmed.
Esther Martin, 68, was savagely killed by Bear and Beauty at an address in Jaywick, Essex, on Saturday.
Cops raced to the property in Hillman Avenue where the pensioner was found seriously injured and pronounced dead soon after.
Esther had been taking care of her 11-year-old grandson when the vicious hounds snapped.
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.
Both beasts belonged to Esther’s son-in-law Ashley Warren.
He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dogs offences before being bailed until March 5.
Cops have today confirmed the two mutts, who were destroyed at the scene, were XL Bully breeds.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Weaver said the physical features of the two dogs were examined by a police-trained dog expert.
A forensic post-mortem examination was also carried out on them by a veterinary scientist.
“Through this combination it was confirmed that the dogs were XL Bullies,” Mr Weaver said.
He added: “I know there has been a huge amount of speculation about the breed and type of dog involved here, but it was really important we got that information right and established the facts.”
Mr Weaver went on to thank the bravery of those who tried to help Esther during the mauling.
The attack came just days after a ban on XL Bully type dogs came into force.
Warren, who previously described the rules as “a joke”, has since begged for the breed to be “wiped out”.
Chief Superintendent Stuart Weaver's statement in full
Chief Superintendent Stuart Weaver said: “I know there has been a huge amount of speculation about the breed and type of dog involved here, but it was really important we got that information right and established the facts.
“We owe it to Esther and her family to ensure we are thorough, professional and, above all, fair.
“XL Bully is not a breed of dog in itself, but a sub-category of the American Bully and identifying categories of a breed can be a complex process.
“It requires a police-trained dog expert to examine the physical features of the dog against specific measurements, in line with the guidelines published by the Government.
“A forensic post-mortem was also carried out by a veterinary scientist and through this combination it was confirmed that the dogs were XL Bullies.
“A team of experienced detectives are continuing their investigation into Esther’s death and continue to make good progress.
“They are committed to getting the answers her family need about what happened and why.
“Specially trained family liaison officers are also continuing to support them.
“I again want to express our thanks to the members of the public who bravely tried to save Esther before our officers arrived on scene.
“What you did was hugely courageous and a reflection of the values of the community of Jaywick.
“I also want to again praise the unflinching bravery and professionalism of the officers who attended and whose actions ensured the community was safe.”
Warren told The Sun: “Never in a million years did I see [the dogs] as a risk.
“If my dogs did that to her, when I had never seen anything but love from them, then that breed just has a killer switch.
“I honestly thought the ban was a stupid government plan to wipe out a breed which I had never seen anything but softness and love from.
“Now I think they need to be wiped out.
“Esther meant everything to my son and everything to me. I’m sorry for everyone’s loss, from the bottom of my heart.”
Hero neighbours ran to help and used shovels to try to break back into the house, with one heard to shout: “Are you all right? Give me a sign.”
Resident Julie Coleman, 62, said: “One fella was shouting and banging on the window with his fist.
“He picked up a brick and broke the window. There was apparently blood everywhere inside. Her head was covered in blood.”
Under the new regulation, XL Bully owners must have them muzzled and on a lead when in public.
To qualify for an exemption certificate, they have to have proved their dog had been neutered by June 30 last year.
Puppies that were less than a year old as of Wednesday must be neutered by the end of this year.
Dangerous Dogs Act explained
After eleven horrific attacks in 1991, Home Secretary Kenneth Baker promised “to rid the country of the menace of these fighting dogs” by introducing the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The law is often considered controversial as it focuses on a dog’s breed or looks instead of an individual dog’s behaviour, and fails to stem the rise of dog attacks.
According to the RSPCA, over a third of the people killed by dogs since the act was brought in were attacked by legal breeds.
As of December 31 last year, it became illegal to sell, breed or give away XL Bully dogs under the Act.
From February 1, it became illegal to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.
Anyone found in possession of an XL Bully and is not meeting the strict rules will have their dog taken away and face prosecution and a criminal record.
It comes after a spate of fatal attacks, which saw 11 deaths linked to XL Bullies in just three years.
