Caterham dog attack: Dog walker was mauled to death

A dog walker was mauled to death after being set upon while out walking a group of dogs in rural Surrey.

The 28-year-old woman, from London, was attacked in Caterham just before 14:45 GMT on Thursday.

A second woman who received treatment for dog bites has since been discharged from hospital.

Police said eight dogs were seized at the scene by officers and the owners of these dogs had been identified and were being kept informed of investigations.

The dogs were not believed to be banned breeds and the second woman was not thought to be linked to the woman who died, police said.

Officers investigating the attack have erected a cordon in the Gravelly Hill area, which is a quiet rural community.

No arrests have been made.

Insp Lyndsey Whatley said: "I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police whilst we investigate the circumstances of what has happened."

East Surrey MP Claire Coutinho said her thoughts were with the loved ones of the woman who died.

She said: "Thank you to the paramedics for their efforts at the scene, and officers from Surrey Police who controlled the situation so quickly."

By Tom Pugh, BBC News, Caterham

Forensic work was being carried out on Friday as investigators tried to establish how the tragic events unfolded on Thursday.

A heavy police presence was being maintained at Gravelly Hill where a woman in her 20s lost her life and another was left needing hospital treatment.

It is apparent the investigation is being carried out at pace, with police telling reporters at a briefing that all the owners of the dogs involved have been identified.

And they were keen to offer reassurance to the local community that they were confident all the dogs involved had now been seized.

The area is within a quiet, rural setting with properties set within large grounds, and locals have expressed shock at the tragedy.

The woman who was attacked by the dog is yet to be named, but Surrey Police said her next of kin had been informed.

Ch Insp Alan Sproston said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who sadly died.

"This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody.

"Our investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and we would ask the community not to speculate."

Richard Bream, who runs the nearby Mardens Kennels, said he had never heard of a dog attack in the area before.

He said: "That particular area, View Point, is an area where professional dog walkers will turn up in their van and take the dogs out and walk them.

"I've always felt you see some of these dog walkers have five or six, and they shouldn't be able to do that."

A woman walking a border collie past one of the police cordons, who asked not to be named, said she was shocked by the incident.

She said: "It's a nice circular woodland walk and we've never had any issues before. It is so shocking. Normal dogs surely wouldn't do that."

Tandridge District Council leader Catherine Sayer said: "It's just a terrible, tragic incident. Obviously, our thoughts are with the family of the young woman who died and we very much hope for a quick recovery for the woman who was injured."

Talks are planned at the authority about the council's response to the attack, and it will be discussed at a meeting of the community services committee on Tuesday.

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