The devastated father of a 19-year-old woman killed by her pet lurcher has urged other dog owners to be vigilant, as he described discovering his daughter’s body. Jamie-Lea Biscoe died after the animal, named Shy, allegedly attacked her at their home in Leaden Roding, Essex, on Friday night.
Her father, Jack, 37, said he found Jamie-Lea on his bedroom floor with a bite wound to her neck. He began performing CPR, but the dog then turned on him and bit off his ear. The family had owned Shy, a female lurcher, since she was a seven-week-old puppy, and the dog had no history of aggression, according to Jack.
“I thought I could trust that dog with my life and it took my daughter’s life,” Jack told The Sun. He stressed that the animal was not a banned breed like an XL Bully but “a genuine family dog” that used to sleep on his daughter’s bed. Emergency services were called at around 10.45pm, but Jamie-Lea was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jack was arrested by Essex Police on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. He was released on bail on Saturday night. The dog, along with two of its puppies also in the house, has been seized by police.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper expressed his condolences and said officers would remain in the area to reassure the community. “Experienced detectives are leading the investigation to understand exactly what has happened,” he added.
