Jaywick dog attack: Esther Martin will not be forgotten, says son

The son of a woman killed in a dog attack has said her "memory will live forever".

Esther Martin, 68, was fatally injured inside a home in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Warren, 39, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences but has been released on conditional police bail until March.

Ms Martin's family said she was attacked while trying to break up a fight between puppies in the house.

She was visiting her 11-year-old grandson at the time, her family said.

Her family previously said she was "getting her life back together" following the death of one of her daughters.

In a tribute on social media, her son Paul Martin wrote: "Love you lots mum. Sleep tight and give Clare Louise a big hug from me love you both lots. Until we meet again. Your memory will live forever."

Essex Police said officers believed Ms Martin was attacked by two dogs inside a property in Hillman Avenue in the seaside village.

Ms Martin's daughter Sonia Martin, 47, claimed the animals were unregistered XL bully dogs.

She raised concerns that the two adult dogs and puppies had been "kept penned in a small chalet".

"How the hell can that be any good for an animal?" Ms Martin told the BBC.

"We're very angry. People complain [about] the dogs; it's not the dogs."

She said her mother, from Woodford Green, in north-east London, was told by the dogs' owner to intervene with a broom when puppies in the house began fighting.

She believed it was at that point that her mother was attacked.

Mr Warren was the partner of Esther Martin's late daughter, who died about two years ago.

Ms Martin told the BBC on Sunday her nephew "ran out of the house screaming for help" and said some neighbours grabbed spades to try to "fight off" the dogs.

"We'd really like to thank all the neighbours for coming and helping and trying to save my mum's life," she added.

"My concern was if my nephew hadn't run out of the house what could have then happened to him? He's eleven."

Neighbours had described hearing "screaming".

Although the family believed the animals were banned XL bully dogs, police have said work to confirm which breed they were would take "some days".

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