A frail pensioner has died in hospital 17 days after being mauled by a powerful XL bully dog in her home, just streets away from where Jack Lis was also killed by a dog.
Grandmother Shirley Patrick, 83, was with relatives in Caerphilly, South Wales, in the run up to Christmas when she was badly mauled on Saturday, December 3.
Mrs Patrick was taken to hospital after the incident, but has sadly died after the attack in the early hours of this morning.
Armed police and paramedics were called to the property after neighbours said ‘all hell broke loose’.
Shirley Patrick, 83, (pictured) has died in hospital 17 days after being savaged by a powerful XL bully at her own home in Caerphilly, South Wales
Armed police and paramedics were called to the property after neighbours said ‘all hell broke loose
The tragedy happened less than a mile from the home of 10-year-old Jack Lis who was killed by the same breed of dog a year ago.
Locals said widow Mrs Patrick was badly bitten by the black XL bully which was destroyed by police.
A 55-year-old man, believed to be her son Paul Patrick, was also taken to hospital with minor injuries but was later released.
Mrs Patrick was widowed three years ago when her husband Dennis died, and her grandson has been living with her ever since.
A neighbour said: ‘She’s just a nice old lady who you see walking around. Poor thing to suffer like that at her age.’
Gwent Police said in a statement: ‘An 83-year-old woman has died following reports of a dog attack in Heol Fawr, Caerphilly.
Four people who were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury have been released under conditional bail
‘Four people who were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury have been released under conditional bail.’
The dog, a large XL bully cross cane corso breed, is legal in the UK but there are concerns about its strength and temperament.
Police said their investigation is continuing and officers will be making further inquiries in the local area.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Sedgebeer said: ‘If you have concerns or any information regarding this dog and its previous behaviour then please do stop and talk with us.’
Parents in Caerphilly are concerned about the rising numbers of XL bullies being bred and sold to families where there are children in the house. The buy and sell website Gumtree currently has 14 XL bully puppies for sale by three different breeders in the town.
One mum, who didn’t want to be named, said: ‘An innocent child and a frail old lady have been killed by these dogs – when is it going to stop?
‘Not long ago these dogs were rare, now you often see them on the street with their owners. It’s not safe.’
Wayne David, MP, is calling for a change in the law to make sure owners have a responsibility to train their dogs properly so they are not a threat.
Mr David, 65, who represents the town, says he will ‘continue to campaign until the law is changed’ after progress stalled in Westminster.
It comes after Jack Lis, 10, (pictured) was mauled to death by a killer XL Bully dog named Beast while visiting a friend’s house in Caerphilly in November last year
It comes after Jack Lis was mauled to death by a killer XL Bully dog named Beast in Caerphilly, South Wales.
Jack had been playing with a friend after school when they went to the house where Beast was roaming around downstairs and then bit his face, head and neck.
Amy Salter, 29, and Brandon Hayden, 19, were in charge of the raging animal when it attacked Jack after school in November last year.
Hayden was later jailed for four years and six months while Salter was given a three year sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.
