Pensioner Allegedly Left with Pack of 10 XL Bully Dogs Before Fatal Mauling
A pensioner with limited mobility was allegedly left in charge of a pack of 10 XL bully dogs, with a combined weight of up to 190 kilograms, before she was killed in a horrific mauling, a court has heard. Esther Martin, who was 68 years old at the time, died in February 2024 after the attack at a property in Jaywick, Essex.
Trial Details and Prosecution's Case
Ashley Warren, 41, is currently on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, accused of owning or being in charge of two XL bully dogs that killed Ms. Martin. Prosecutors have described the situation as a "tragedy waiting to happen." Warren allegedly left Ms. Martin with the two adult dogs, named Beauty and Bear, along with eight puppies of the same breed, at his home on Hillman Avenue on February 3, 2024.
Jurors were informed that Warren, an aspiring rapper, had asked Ms. Martin to mind the animals so he could travel to London to film a music video. However, prosecutor Chris Paxton KC emphasized that Ms. Martin had "restricted" movement due to a hip replacement, arthritis, and a limp. He argued it was a "ludicrous suggestion" to consider her a "fit and proper person" to control such powerful dogs.
Weight and Nature of the Dogs
The court heard that the combined weight of the pack ranged from 180kg to 190kg, equivalent to approximately 26 to 28 stone. Paxton described the dogs as "unpredictable, towering, muscular" animals, noting that Warren himself had referred to them as "bouncy." Specifically, the two adult dogs weighed 39kg and 47kg, while each of the eight puppies weighed between 10kg and 12kg.
Given that Warren had known Ms. Martin for over 12 years, prosecutors asserted he would have been fully aware of her mobility issues and had "no basis" to believe she could physically restrain the dogs. "No-one would reasonably believe that Esther could control those dogs with the physicality and power that they clearly possessed," Paxton stated, highlighting the presence of not just one but two adult XL bullies, accompanied by eight puppies.
Ferocity of the Attack and Injuries
The prosecutor detailed the severity of the attack, revealing that police officers were unable to enter the home until they had deployed Tasers and used shields. Ms. Martin sustained a minimum of 60 mostly dog-related injuries before her death. Additionally, it was disclosed that the animals had not been walked for four weeks prior to the incident.
Legal Context and Charges
The mauling occurred just two days after the Government made it a criminal offence to own an XL bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption. Warren, now residing in Addlestone, Surrey, has pleaded not guilty to two charges: being the owner of a dog named Bear that caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place, and being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty that did the same.
He has also denied possessing a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3, 2024. During Monday's hearing, Warren, wearing a pink shirt, sat in the dock with his head bowed as the trial continued.
