A 67-year-old gran has died after she was mauled to death by a pit bull she took in to her holiday home.
Anne Shields suffered horrific injuries after the animal suddenly turned on her.
Police shot the dog so medics could reach Shields after her neighbours raised the alarm when they heard screaming coming from her apartment in Macastre, near Valencia.
The British mother-of-one, who named the dog Choccy, died in hospital the next day.
Pit bulls are banned in the UK (stock image)
PA
Her daughter Sarah said her mum’s intention had never been to keep the dog but all the animal shelters were full.
“She was an animal lover and couldn’t bear the thought of throwing Choccy back on the streets,” Sarah told The Sun.
“She was looking after him until she found someone who could take him.
“She stuck with him and then this happened. It’s a nightmare.”
Shields, who was a former security guard bought her home with husband Martyn in 2002.
He died 18 months later, aged 59.
Sarah added: “She was so caring. This hasn’t really sunk in. We’ll miss her so much.”
Pit bulls are banned in the UK but are allowed in Spain.
Anne was attacked in her holiday home in Macastre
Wiki Commons
Owners need a licence in Spain as they are viewed as potentially dangerous.
The Spanish police force, the Guardia Civil, have opened up an investigation following the attack on February 24 to find the animal's owner.
Pit bulls join the UK’s banned list alongside the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila Brasileiro which are all deemed too dangerous.
Owning a banned breed in the UK can lead to an unlimited fine, up to six months behind bars, or both.
