Caterham dog attack: Police slammed as dogs held for 10 months

Eight dogs were seized by police, including Glen Oglaza's six-year-old Cookie and 15-month-old Shadow

A man has slammed police for detaining his dogs for ten months after their walker was mauled to death by her own XL Bully.

Natasha Johnston was attacked while walking a group of dogs in Caterham, Surrey, on 12 January.

Eight dogs were seized by police, including Glen Oglaza's six-year-old Cookie and 15-month-old Shadow.

Surrey Police said: "Public safety will always be our priority."

A post-mortem examination showed Ms Johnston had died from shock and haemorrhage, and her left jugular vein had been perforated.

A coroner said 28-year-old, from Croydon, had suffered "traumatic injuries".

Natasha Johnston died after she was attacked while walking a group of dogs

Cookie and Shadow have been in kennels for 292 days since the attack but are due to be released tomorrow (Wednesday) after a court hearing, Mr Oglaza said.

"If the police had used an ounce of common sense or policing skill, this could have been resolved months ago," he said.

He added that Ms Johnston had become a "dear friend" in the five years she had walked Cookie.

"For months, I pleaded with police to let us have the dogs, at least the puppy, at home. But they refused," he said.

"It's unconscionable and cruel that they deprived a puppy of her puppyhood in this way."

Police said all eight dogs were assessed by an independent forensic vet.

"Ms Johnson's two dogs were put to sleep at the request of her family, two others were returned to their owners in April, and the remaining four were recommended to be returned with control orders, including being on a lead at all times," a spokesperson said.

"In the case of two of these dogs, the owner contested the control measures and we respect the decision of the district judge."

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