Attack victim ‘agitated and struggling to control’ dogs days before she's killed

16 January 2023 , 22:33

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Police at the scene of where a woman was killed by a dog at a beauty spot near Caterham, Surrey (Image: Steve Reigate)

A woman who was killed in a savage dog attack has been described as being “agitated and struggling to control” the animals just days before her death.

The 28-year-old dog walker, whose identity has not yet been revealed, was mauled to death by a pack of eight dogs she was hired to look after at a local beauty spot in Surrey on Thursday (January 12).

A couple who frequent the same area with their own dog have revealed that they believe they spotted the woman a few days before the horrific attack.

They said that she appeared to not look in control of the animals she was walking and that they encountered her as she had lost an eight-week-old puppy she was caring for.

The scene at Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey where the women was mauled do death by dogs (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

She had asked them if they had seen the animal and they described her as being "agitated" and "distressed".

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They also told The Telegraph that she had gotten the seven other dogs she had with her into the boot and back seats of her car before searching for the missing pup.

The couple also claimed to have been walking their dog in the same area of the attack just half an hour before the tragic incident.

A police Corden was put in place where the woman was killed (SWNS)

Armed officers and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) were dispatched to Gravelly Hill by Surrey police after they received reports of a dog attacking people at 2.45pm on Thursday.

The attack reportedly took place after one dog bit another fellow dog walker, before going after the woman.

One witness said that the other seven dogs then set upon the woman "like a pack of wolves".

Officer's are investigating the attack (Humphrey Nemar/ dailty mirror)

The 28-year-old woman was sadly declared dead at the scene and another woman was rushed to hospital but has since been discharged, police have said.

Officers confirmed that eight dogs had been seized and are being kept in kennels while the investigation is ongoing.

An 11 stone Leonburger named Shiva is reported to have been one of the dogs taken into police car.

The dog had previously appeared on a BBC show about problematic puppies.

A dog named Shiva is reported to be one of the animals seized by police after the attack

Other dogs reportedly seized include two dachshunds, a cockapoo and a collie.

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All of the dog's owners have been informed and no arrests have been made.

Police said they carried out forensic work at the scene, which has now re-opened to the public.

Reanna Smith