Woman, 19, dies in Bristol dog attack at flat

A 19-year-old woman has died in a dog attack at a flat in Bristol, police say.

Two people have been arrested following the attack at about 19:00 GMT on Wednesday at the property in Cobhorn Drive, south Bristol.

The dog has now been put down, officers have confirmed. Initial reports suggested it may be an XL Bully, but police said it was too early to confirm the breed.

A man and woman both in their 20s are in custody after being arrested on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act, including being in possession of a prohibited breed of dog.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Insp Terry Murphy, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the incident was “incredibly rare” and thanked police and ambulance staff for working under “incredibly difficult circumstances”.

“Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident,” he said.

“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”

He added that there would be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

Witnesses have described seeing a huge emergency response as police and paramedics attended the scene.

Doreen Tovey said the incident was “very frightening”.

“I came out my house to see what all the commotion was,” she said.

“[There were] loads of police cars, riot van, ambulance across the road from me.”

Resident Gary Steadman said he heard “screaming” and that the incident was heartbreaking.

He also described the dog as “big, butch and brown and white” in colour.

One witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said she is in “shock” after the incident.

She said the whole street was “filled top to bottom” with emergency services throughout the night.

She has seen the dog out with its owner several times and said it appeared “fine and happy”.

“I haven’t processed it. It’s a very, very sad situation.

“You see it happening around you, but never on your doorstep,” she said.

“I just feel so sad [about] the whole situation.”

The road has reopened following a closure for investigative work on Wednesday night.

Police have urged witnesses or anybody with information about the incident to contact them.