Woman, 19, dies after horror dog attack in Essex as arrest made

Susanna Siddell
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:19:10 +0000

An arrest has been made after a 19-year-old woman died following a horror dog attack in Essex late last night.

Emergency services were summoned to an address along Leaden Roding, Dunmow just before 11pm on Friday, Essex Police confirmed.

Officers discovered a woman with serious injuries at the scene. She was later declared dead at the property.

A man has since been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and also causing injury resulting in death.

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The 37-year-old remains in custody, while the dog was seized by police.

Essex Police said: "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."

Following the tragic news, the force's 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."

Police appealed for further information to establish the circumstances surrounding the matter.

Authorities added: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Please quote incident 1419 of 10 April."

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In a separate incident which took place just a day before, a 45-year-old man was arrested after a baby girl was mauled to death by a dog in Redcar.

Two canines were killed after the tragic incident. Meanwhile, another woman sustained an arm injury, Cleveland Police confirmed.

As the horrific fiasco unfolded, armed police descended on a quiet Yorkshire street after a child was mauled to death by a dog.

Police were called to a property on Hardale Grove, Dormanstown, Redcar, shortly after 1.30pm, with eyewitnesses describing a standoff between 10 armed officers and the animal.

Residents along the street reacted to the "heartbreaking" news, with one woman remarking the incident was "surreal".

The neighbour added: "I am in utter shock - it was just surreal, all of it. I hope everyone involved is okay, it is such a tragic incident."

Meanwhile, a man, who resides on a local road, said "kids were everywhere" during the horrific attack, adding that it sounded "horrendous".

Emily Harrison, the District Commander for Redcar and Cleveland, said: "Understandably this is a distressing and tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the child’s family.

"There is a scene in place at the address while an investigation into the child’s death begins.

"I would encourage anyone who has concerns or information to please speak to an officer."