Tributes have been paid to a mum-of-two who was mauled to death by her pet dog in a horror attack which almost killed her boyfriend.
It is believed Joanne Robinson is the third victim of a legal breed which has already killed two tots.
The woman, 43, was attacked in her home by one of the family’s two American Bully XL dogs. She was called a “beautiful angel” by heartbroken friends.
Jamie Stead, 42, is lucky to be alive after suffering devastating injuries to his face, hands and chest as he tried to pull the animals off her.
He remains in hospital after the horror attack at a house in West Melton, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, at roughly 10pm on Friday.
In March police confirmed that an American Bully XL killed Bella-Rae Birch, aged 17 months, in her own home in St Helens, Merseyside.
Police said the toddler was attacked a week after the family bought the dog.
Last month it was reported that a Bully XL mauled to death schoolboy Jack Lis, 10, in Wales last year. American Bully XLs are not a banned breed in the UK.
Police in Rotherham took the dogs away and the house has been cordoned off for a painstaking forensic examination.
Floral tributes have been placed on metal railings outside the house while neighbours have spoken of their shock and horror.
One heart-breaking message read: “To our beautiful angel up above. You will never be forgotten. Love you always.”
Neighbour John Allerton, 69, a retired miner, said: “It’s really really tragic.”
Another friend said: "I'm devastated. She was a lovely lady. They are a lovely family."
The police took away two dogs. One man, who said he was the couple’s son, said, “I can assure you that the dogs were treated well.”
South Yorkshire Police said: “We were called to a property on Masefield Road in West Melton last night around 10:15 pm when a member of the public stated that a dog had attacked him and a woman.
“Officers arrived with the Yorkshire Ambulance Brigade and found a 42-year-old man with a potentially life-threatening injury to one arm, as well as injuries to the other arm, abdomen and face.
“A 43-year-old woman was mortally bitten, and, despite the best efforts of the rescuers, she was sadly pronounced dead on the spot.” Today, the house remains cordoned off while investigations continue.
RSPCA is linking the the increase in Britons buying puppies during Covid to a surge in fatal dog attacks.
Reports from the Dog and Cat Behaviour Association show dog attacks increased by 54% between 2020 and 2021.
