Woman dies after being mauled by dog in Southend

A 34-year-old woman has died in hospital after she was mauled by a dog.

Essex Police said officers were called to an address in Retort Close, Southend, by the ambulance service at 11.30pm on Monday.

The force said the woman was taken to hospital with “serious injuries” and died at the Royal London Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police said the dog involved in the incident has been seized and has been “assessed by a dog liaison officer as not a banned breed”.

The force said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and a file would be prepared for the coroner in due course.

Two dogs were seized from the address, but just one of them is believed to have been involved in the incident, police said.

Det Supt Gary Biddle said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the woman involved at this time.

“While our investigation into the circumstances of this tragic incident continues, we would ask that the privacy of the woman’s family is respected.”

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