A 78-year-old widow who was killed by two dogs in her home has been named as Carol Hall. Police were called to a ground-floor flat on Willis Pearson Avenue in Bilston, Wolverhampton, at 11.30pm on Wednesday. The dogs, whose breed has not been revealed, were destroyed at the scene. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death. He has been released on police bail while investigations continue.
Police confirmed the dogs had been assessed by officers and independently assessed by another police force, and are not believed to be a banned breed. Neighbours described Mrs Hall as a "diamond" and a "tiny" woman with bright red dyed hair who had lived in the housing association flat for years. One local said: "Everyone around here knew her so well. She was so kind-hearted and will be hugely missed by everyone. It's a tragedy."
Tributes were paid on social media. Friend David Williams wrote: "Sad to hear my good friend Carol Hall has passed. We had loads of laughs at The Village with you and Den. You are together again. Rest peacefully now my friend." Another friend, Elizabeth Wallace, wrote: "RIP Carol. Such a lovely, caring lady. May you get the best bed in heaven." Mrs Hall's husband Dennis died several years ago.
Her Facebook posts revealed she adored dogs and had raised money for a dog charity. Neighbour Sam Wright, 64, said she "couldn't have fended them off" as the dogs were big and she was weak. He added: "I heard her daughter say distinctly, 'My mum's been killed by the dogs'." Floral tributes were left outside her flat, and relatives visited the scene but said it was "too soon" to talk.
The incident is the third fatal dog attack in a week. A three-month-old girl died in Redcar, near Middlesbrough, and 19-year-old Jamie-Lea Biscoe died after being found with serious injuries in Leaden Roding, Essex. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says dog bite injuries are "clearly rising" and pet owners must follow key advice when handling and training their pets.
