A 28-year-old dog walker has been identified as the female victim brutally killed in a savage dog attack yesterday. Armed police and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) swooped into the park in Surrey where the incident took place after receiving reports of a dog attacking people.
The young woman is said to have been walking 'a number of dogs' at the same time when she was attacked. It is understood at least one unleashed dog started the attack which resulted in fatal injuries and a huge blood loss, the Mirror reports.
A second female victim has now been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for dog bites. Surrey Police seized eight canines and they currently remain in kennels - their owners have been identified and kept informed about the situation.
Previous reports said there were seven dogs involved in the incident. Police sealed off the surrounding roads around the open country area as the large-scale investigation into the woman's awful death continues. Inspector Lyndsey Whatley of Surrey Police said: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“I know that yesterday’s events will be of real concern to the local community and I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police whilst we investigate the circumstances of what has happened.
“Officers will remain in the area of Gravelly Hill today whilst enquiries continue and if you have any information but have not yet spoken to police then please contact us.”
A police cordon remained in place yesterday and today at Gravelly Hill while forensic work is carried out. Officers have put up a black gazebo at the scene and multiple police cars and two red vans - one marked 'Underwater Search Unit' were seen behind the cordon.
Jenny Gaffney, Liberal Democrat Councillor at Tandridge District Council, said the community has been left horrified by the attack She said: "It's absolutely shocking and it's incredibly sad for the poor lady who died and the woman who has been injured.
"We're all waiting to find out what happened. There's an awful lot of speculation on social media at the moment which isn't helpful for the family of the poor lady who died."
Locals said the terrifying attack has left the community in the town of Caterham 'feeling really anxious'.
Lesley Hoffley lives just yards away from the police sign closing off Gravelly Hill nearby to where the attack took place. The 62-year-old said: "No one seems to know anything and the police haven't been in touch at all. All we know is from what we see on the news.
"We don't know if the young lady was a local. It's hard to say because people come from all over to Gravelly Hill. It's a lovely walking spot so there's always cars parked there belonging to people from outside the area. It's got a stunning view of the North Downs.
"We found out about the incident yesterday and it really shocked me and my husband. I've never known it to have a problem with dog attacks before. It just doesn't really make any sense.
"Why are there seven dangerous dogs around there and how did it happen? None of us who live round here have any idea. The wording of the police statement also is quite worrying. They say they think they've caught all seven dogs but how can they know?"
Another nearby neighbour added: It's unbelievable. We've not had too many details about it but everyone has been shaken by the news.
"This could have happened to anyone. All our thoughts are with the girl's family."
Yesterday, Chief Inspector Alan Sproston said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who sadly died this afternoon. This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody.
“Our investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and we would ask the community not to speculate.” Claire Coutinho, MP for East Surrey, offered her condolences to the family as she said: "My thoughts are with the loved ones of the lady who has died following a dog attack in Caterham this afternoon.
"Another lady was injured but is thankfully recovering in hospital".
No arrests have currently been made.
An investigation by the Mirror urged for new laws on dangerous dogs after results showed a 26% increase in attacks since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. There were nine fatal attacks in 2022 which is the highest record in a year.
Since the Office of National Statistics began recording fatal dog attacks in 2013, there have never been more than five in one year. However, it is estimated that there are now 12 millions dogs in the UK, two million more than since before lockdown.
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