No criminal charges will follow after a "one-in-a-million" nan was mauled to death by dogs at a house in Vauxhall.
Ann Dunn, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene in a property in St Brigid's Crescent, on Monday, October 3 last year after being attacked by "multiple" dogs described by Merseyside Police as American Bulldog breed. Her family realised something was wrong when she did not turn up to collect her grandson from school, according to reports.
The five American Bulldogs at the property were seized by Merseyside Police and "humanely destroyed" with the consent of their owners. Shortly after the tragedy, a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control, and was bailed pending further investigation.
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The ECHO also revealed how Ms Dunn required hospital treatment in August, 2021, just over a year before her death, after suffering a number of bites from a large dog. It has not been confirmed whether the dog that attacked her on that occasion was involved in her death.
Now Merseyside Police have confirmed no criminal proceedings have been brought and the man has been told no further action will be taken against him. Ms Dunn's death will now be investigated by the coroner and an inquest will take place at a date to be set.
In a touching statement shared shortly after her death, her family said: "Our one in a million mum. Life will never be the same without you." Other tributes include a touching comment from her workplace at the University of Liverpool."
Liverpool John Moores University, where Ms Dunn worked as a domestic assistant, also said: "The university community is absolutely shocked and devastated by this tragic loss and to lose Ann in this way is just heart-breaking.
"Ann was hard-working and dedicated and had so many friends across the organisation. It’s just awful and she will be terribly missed. Our thoughts at this time are with her family and loved-ones."
Ms Dunn's death was not the only fatal mauling in Merseyside last year. Bella-Rae Birch, 17 months old, died after being attacked at a property in Bidston Avenue, St Helens, on March 21, 2022.
The dog was humanely destroyed following the horrific incident, although tests confirmed it was an American Bully XL, a legal breed not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1999.
St Helens and Knowsley were also both named in the top five areas in the country for hospital admissions due to dog attacks. Figures show that you are 10 times more likely to be the victim of a dog attack in Merseyside than elsewhere in the country.
Nationally, 2022 was the deadliest year on record for fatal dog attacks since the Office for National Statistics (ONS) began recording them in 2013.
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