Officers and locals praised for "unflinching bravery" following fatal dog attack in Essex
68-year-old Esther Martin was attacked in Jaywick on Saturday afternoon
Last updated 5th Feb 2024
Essex Police have thanked the "unflinching bravery" of officers, which prevented an ongoing threat to the public, following a fatal dog attack in Jaywick.
Esther Martin, from Woodford Green, died at the scene after being attacked by two dogs inside a property in Hillman Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
The breed of the dogs are yet to be confirmed but locals have reported they believe the dogs to have been XL Bully's - which are now banned in England and Wales.
Speaking yesterday, Chief Superintendent Glen Pavelin thanked locals and officers for their response at the scene, and confirmed both dogs had been destroyed inside the house.
"I can reassure the community in Jaywick that there is no ongoing risk to them posed by this incident. I would also like to thank the local people who had tried to get into the house to help Esther Martin. You should be proud."
A 39-year-old man, who is believed to have a "familial relationship" with Ms Martin, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences.
He remains in custody.
Chief Superintendent Pavelin has not confirmed the breed of the dogs involved, and say they're working with experts.
Six officers arrived at the scene "within minutes" and have been commended for their bravery, as well as the locals who rushed to try and help Ms Martin.
Flowers have been laid for Ms Martin, who's family are being supported by specially trained officers.
The victim's daughter, Sonia Martin, has said the dogs were of the XL bully breed - which was banned at the start of this month - with a total of six puppies and two adults in the property.
Ms Martin, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, said that her mother had previously expressed concerns about the "dangerous and aggressive dogs".
She told the BBC: "There were adult XL bully dogs in the property, and my mum had raised concerns to the owners about them being dangerous and quite aggressive. There were also six puppies."
She said she had been informed that the puppies had started fighting and her mother had been told by the dogs' owner to "put a broom in among them, to distract them".
She said: "That's when she was attacked."
Lucy Shaw, 38, who lives in a property behind the address, told the PA news agency she heard screaming for about 10 minutes.
She said: "We went out into the garden and it was all quiet and then we heard dogs barking, and then we heard someone screaming.
"It seemed like the screaming of a child. That went on for about 10 minutes.
"We went back in after a while because it sounded horrific."
"I heard the shots of them being destroyed"
Mike Coleman, 74, who lives a few doors down, said he saw a man come down the road to the address and start shouting.
He said: "He is really shouting and hallowing, he was really, really loud. Then he starts whacking at the windows. He appeared panicked.
"He said 'phone the police'. My wife phoned them but they said they had someone else on the phone.
"Minutes later the police came - two cars, then three then five, and then they blocked the road off.
"I heard the shots of them being destroyed, then that was it."