18 September 2023 , 11:16
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A woman was found dead on her bathroom floor weeks after she was attacked by two Rottweilers.
Marie Stevens, 40, had operations on her arm and leg following the mauling in Netherton, Merseyside in August. She was discharged from hospital after two weeks but died at home, as a result of a pulmonary embolism.
Her devastated husband Mark says the injury - a sudden blockage in an artery and the prevention of blood to the lungs - was caused in the dog attack. During the ordeal, Marie suffered a blood clot, which travelled from her left leg to her heart.
But now Mark, who met Marie on a blind date and "never looked back", is planning his spouse's funeral. Mark and Marie loved dogs and had two themselves, he told Liverpool Echo.
It is reported Marie "tried to stroke" the dogs, who were on a lead, last month. The dog owners, a man and a woman, tried to stop the Rottweilers, it is understood. After the canines bit Marie several times on the arm, a 41-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog in a public place.
Dog who 'always melts hearts' with his smile hopes to find a loving family
Mark said: "Everyone around the neighbourhood knew her, she constantly laughed and made everyone happy and feel good. We didn't have any kids, we had our much-loved dogs."
Speaking previously, he said: "My whole world has fallen apart in a split second. 21 years together, married for four, and that's it, gone. It's like restarting my life now. But I've got so many memories and a strong family.
"Marie was so loved, it's hard to deal with at the minute, we've been robbed. She loved animals, we had a best dog at our wedding and we loved going to Wales with our dog. I'm so very sorry I lost you, I hope you and Max are walking together on the beach."
A fundraising page has been set up to help give Marie the send off she deserves and in just a few days, the donations have come pouring in. Already, more than £3,000 has been raised and Mark said any funds left over will be donated to Freshfields Animal Rescue in her memory.
He said: "I've been amazed by the love and support. I wasn't expecting anything like this, it just showed how loved she was. There's been so many tributes, it's been overwhelming the level of support." The fundraising page can be found here. Mirror has contacted Merseyside Police for the latest on the investigation.