Neighbours heard shouts of 'get it off' before OAP mauled to death

04 February 2024 , 19:19

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Esther Martin who died after being attacked by dogs (Image: Martin family / SWNS)

A grandmother was heard by neighbours shouting "get it off" as she was fatally attacked by two XL Bullies while visiting her grandson.

Esther Martin, 68, a retired Tesco worker and a mother of four, was killed in the attack in Jaywick, Essex, whilst visiting the house which was holding two adult "XL Bullies" and a litter of six puppies. A man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences after officers were called to Hillman Avenue shortly after 4pm yesterday and arrived to find a woman "seriously injured" on the scene where she was later pronounced dead.

Residents shared the horrifying moment with EssexLive, saying they heard Ms Martin shouting "get it off, get it off" during the incident. One neighbour who called 999 said she saw a man wielding a shovel in the street saying he was going to "kill the dogs"

Sarah Stott, a neighbour on the road, said: "I heard the woman shout out 'Get it off, get it off'. It seemed like it was a man and woman arguing but obviously, it wasn't" Another neighbour on the road, who did not wish to be named, says she called 999 after seeing a lot of commotion involving a man and dogs. She said: "He said there's a woman on the floor dead. And I said I'm definitely calling the police. The woman was inside the property."

Police talk to residents at Hillman Avenue (JOHN McLELLAN)

She claimed when the police arrived they broke the door down and shot the dogs. She added: "I have seen both of them in the street and they look like normal, pleasant dogs." Julie and Mike Coleman, 67 and 74, also live near the scene and have been saddened by the death "happening right on the doorstep". Mr Coleman said: "The fella came down the road and was shouting and banging on the window. He came down here and said phone the police. We know there were dogs involved as we heard [the police] shoot the dogs."

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Mrs Coleman said: "I'm an animal lover and it's just so upsetting, even with what they have done. Dogs were barking and setting it all off. All I heard was 'Are you alright, give me a sign or something'."

Essex Police said two dogs were destroyed at the scene, with one 39-year-old man being arrested for dangerous dog offences. He remains in custody. The police have not stated which breed of dog it was that attacked Ms Martin, however Kelly Fretwell, the daughter of the victim, has confirmed that the dogs involved in the attack were of the recently banned XL Bully breed.

Flowers at the scene in Jaywick (Eastnews Press Agency)

She claims that there were eight "XL Bullies" present in the house - six puppies and the two adults who attacked the victim - when her mother was left there alone. She said the victim was visiting the house of the man that owned the dogs to see her 11-year-old grandson, who was in his care. The quick-thinking boy rushed out shouting for help when the dogs attacked, the family have said.

Speaking of her mother, Kelly told the Mirror: “She was amazing. She was retired and trying to bring her life back on track after the passing of my sister two years ago. She came to visit my nephew and now she is dead. We told him that they were dangerous. He said ‘nobody can tell me what to do with my dogs'."

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."

There were said to be eight XL Bullies present in the house - six puppies and the two adults (Eastnews Press Agency)

"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. 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." Call police on 101 quoting incident 723 of 3 February.

Ellis Whitehouse