Dogs to be destroyed after fatal attack on owner

Essex Police was called to a property in Retort Close, Southend-on-Sea, on Monday evening

Two dogs are to be destroyed after a woman died following a dog attack.

Michelle Hempstead, 34, suffered serious injuries in the incident at Retort Close, Southend-on-Sea on Monday and died in hospital on Tuesday.

Essex Police previously said two dogs were seized and that the dog involved in the attack was not a banned breed.

It said the woman was the sole owner of the dogs and they had since been "disclaimed for destruction".

Officers are encouraging any residents who have not spoken to police to contact them.

Acting Det Insp James McLean-Brown said: "This was a very distressing incident to witness, so I’d like to thank everyone who has spoken to us so far and ask anyone else with information to contact us.

“The details you have may be important, and we need the fullest picture of Monday evening to complete our inquiries."

The BBC understands the seized dogs were a Pomeranian and a bullmastiff.

One witness told the BBC the victim was a "lovely, lovely lady".

Marie Russell, who lives in the block of flats where the incident took place, said: "She shouted 'My dog's bit me', then ran off trying to get away in case the dog got out."

Members of the public tried to help her, she said, and residents were "all very shocked" by the incident.