Teenage girl killed in horror Essex dog attack named and pictured as tributes pour in

Essex Police revealed on Sunday that the animal responsible was a lurcher-cross named Shy, which had been seized following the incident, with testing currently being conducted to determine the dog's exact breed.

"We are now in a position to confirm that Jamie-Lea Biscoe, 19, died from injuries believed to have been suffered as a result of a dog attack," a force spokesman stated.

St Michael and All Angels church in the village held prayers and lit candles on Sunday afternoon in support of the family at this difficult time.

One neighbour said: "It's really tragic. I feel for the whole family. She was well-liked by the kids. We didn't know what happened until this morning.

"For all concerned, it's devastating. We feel for the family. We're still trying to process it. It has been a shock."

Another neighbour added: "They kept themselves to themselves, they never caused us any problems. It's just very, very sad and very tragic."

Her father Jack Biscoe, 37, a horse trainer who raised Jamie-Lea as a single parent, came home from KFC with his partner Steven Daniels, 43, that evening to find his daughter unconscious in his bedroom.

She had collapsed on the floor between the bed and bedside table with a wound to her neck from the seven-year-old dog.

"I found Jamie-Lea with a hole in her throat and she was dead, and I tried to revive my baby and whilst doing that the dog also attacked me," he told The Sun.

The animal bit off part of his ear during the assault, an injury that will require reconstructive surgery, and inflicted puncture wounds to his arms.

The family's two other dogs, Bella and Mouse, who are Shy's 18-month-old offspring, were downstairs when the attack occurred.

Mr Biscoe is now urging other pet owners to recognise that dangerous dogs are not limited to specific breeds.

"My daughter was not killed by an XL Bully, she was killed by a genuine family dog," he said.

He described Shy, which he acquired as a seven-week-old puppy from a relative, as "the softest dog" and "the most loving dog you'll ever meet", with no previous history of biting or aggression.

The lurcher had been Jamie-Lea's "best friend" and would sleep on her bed.

"I thought I could trust that dog with my life and it took my daughter's life," he said.

He warned families about "just how quick a dog can take away a life", adding: "Witnessing the horror and destruction it has caused me, it's not worth it. Treat them as dogs, give them their beds, be careful."

Jamie-Lea had recently completed a childcare course at college, and Mr Briscoe described her as his "best friend" and only child.

The 37-year-old father was initially arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and was later released on bail as the investigation continues.

Essex Police assistant chief constable Stuart Hooper said: "Our thoughts remain with all those who knew and loved Jamie-Lea. Her young life has been so tragically cut short."

Officers remain at the scene and the force has appealed for anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward, quoting incident 1419 of April 10.