Police were called to a property in Leaden Roding, near Dunmow, at 10.45pm on Friday, where officers found the teenager fatally injured.
A community has been left reeling after the death of a 19‑year‑old woman mauled by her family’s seemingly harmless dog that “slept on her bed”.
Police were called to a property in Leaden Roding, near Dunmow, at 10.45pm on Friday (April 10), where officers found the teenager fatally injured. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The canine believed to have carried out the attack has been seized, while friends and relatives have named the victim as Jamie‑Lea Biscoe, paying tribute online to the “beautiful” young woman whose life was cut short in the tragic incident.
“Our darling Jamie-Lea rip our girl,” a relative wrote on Facebook, as another, Tina Wells, described the dog as a “seven-year-old lurcher” which was a “family pet”. Ms Wells added: “She slept on my granddaughter’s bed. It’s devastating.”
A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death, following the death, Essex Police confirmed.
“It’s really tragic,” a neighbour said, adding “I feel for the whole family. She was well-liked by the kids. We didn’t know what happened until this morning.
“For all concerned, it’s devastating. We feel for the family. We’re still trying to process it. It has been a shock.” Another added: “They kept themselves to themselves, they never caused us any problems. It’s just very, very sad and very tragic.”
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: “I know this incident will be a shock to the local community. My thoughts, and those of us all at Essex Police, are with the loved ones of the woman who died yesterday.
“We will have officers in the area throughout today so please come and speak to them if you have any information or have any concerns. Experienced detectives are leading the investigation to understand exactly what has happened.”
The full statement from the force read: “A woman has died following an incident involving a dog at a house in Dunmow. We were called to an address in Leaden Roding at 10.45pm on Friday 10 April and officers were on the scene quickly where they found a 19-year-old woman with serious injuries.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services, she was pronounced dead at the scene. We have been carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances, and we believe she had been attacked by a dog at the property in Long Hide.
“Specialist officers ensured the scene was safe and the dog has been seized. A 37-year-old man from Dunmow was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death. He is currently in custody.”
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