A 34-year-old woman has died in hospital after being mauled by a dog.
Essex Police were called to an address in Retort Close, Southend, by the ambulance service at 11.30pm on Monday.
The woman was taken to the Royal London Hospital with ‘serious injuries’ and died in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police said the dog involved in the incident has been seized and has been ‘assessed by a Dog Liaison Officer as not a banned breed’.
The force said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and a file will be prepared for the coroner in due course.
Essex Police were called to an address in Retort Close, Southend, (pictured) by the ambulance service at 11.30pm on Monday
Two dogs were seized from the address, but just one of them is believed to have been involved in the incident, police said.
Detective Superintendent Gary Biddle said: ‘Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the woman involved at this time.
‘While our investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident continues, we would ask that the privacy of the woman’s family is respected.’
Essex Police has been contacted for further comment.
The Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) bans the ownership of four types of dogs including some traditionally bred for fighting.
These are the Pit bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino, the Fila Braziliero and the XL Bully.
Dogs that are suspected of being a banned type are typically seized by police and held in kennels away from the owner.
Banned types can be kept and exempt from euthanasia if they don’t pose a risk to public safety and the owner is considered fit to keep them.
For a banned dog to be exempt from euthanasia they must be neutered, microchipped, muzzled and kept on a lead in a public space, kept securely in a home and cannot be taken out in public with anyone under the age of 16.
The XL Bully is the most recent breed to have been banned. It is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
