A 19-year-old woman has died after being attacked by a dog, believed to be an XL bully, inside a flat in the Hartcliffe area of Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police received a report from the ambulance service at 7.19pm on Wednesday, following the incident at a property on Cobhorn Drive.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. A man and a woman, both in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, and possession of a prohibited breed of dog. They remain in police custody.
The dog was sedated and destroyed on grounds of public safety, police confirmed. Inspector Terry Murphy said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the young woman who has tragically died. A full investigation is now under way to establish the full circumstances.'
A neighbour described the victim as 'a lovely girl' who had lived at the property for only a few weeks. The neighbour added that she had seen the dog on a lead and was told it was 'not great with men, fine with women and children.' Another neighbour reported hearing hysterical screams and seeing a person emerge from the flat 'covered in blood.'
Police declined to comment on whether the victim lived at the address or if there had been previous contact with the household.
