Mum-of-three, 44, mauled to death by her American Bulldogs as daughter screamed at neighbours ‘the dogs are attacking mum’
A MOTHER-of-three was mauled to death by her two pet American Bulldogs as her daughter screamed "they're attacking mum."
Neighbours threw bricks at the hell hounds in a bid to stop the fatal attack on Elayne Stanley, 44, at her home in Widnes, Chesire, yesterday at 5pm.
Residents have described the bloody battle to save Elayne's life after her American Bulldogs Billy and DJ turned on her during an argument with her daughter.
Bev Hall, 39, who lives opposite, said: “We were here putting the tea on and the next thing her daughter Louise came running in screaming for help saying ‘the dogs are attacking mum’.
“We both dropped everything and ran over bare footed.
“The living room door was closed and Elayne was behind it so we couldn’t get in.
“I could hear a dog growling and scratching, we threw all sorts to and banged on the windows to try and distract the dogs."
By the time the paramedics came there was nothing they could do, she had bled out
Neighbour Bev Hall
Bev's partner and other neighbours threw bricks at the dogs from the side door to get them in the garden, then locked the door to stop them getting back in.
The mum-of-three, who has known Elayne for 22 years and whose kids are her god children, said: “By the time the paramedics came there was nothing they could do - she had bled out."
Residents said the dogs were not banned breeds and had not been a problem in the past.
Bev added: “She had the dogs for two or three years, they were actually her fella, Paul’s, dogs.
“She had the girl dog Billy for a while before she got the second dog DJ which she’s had about a year now.
“I have never known those dogs to be violent. My kids have slept on those dogs and used them as pillows, I can’t believe it.
“They used to bark when you went in and Elayne had started shutting her curtains because they would bark when people went past but I have never known the dogs to act that way."
Bev said the cops had tried to tranquillise DJ three or four times but it hadn't worked and he went for an officer so had to be put down.
Officers managed to tranquillise Billy, the girl dog, and tookher away.
Another neighbour Marie Airey said she heard screams coming from the house and someone calling for towels.
She said Elayne was the mum to three girls, including twins.
One daughter, 22, was named as Louise by a friend and neighbour Dorothy Woodward while the twins were said to be aged around 13.
She [Elayne] was only a little woman, she didn’t really stand a chance
A neighbour of Elayne Stanley
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named said: “Elayne kept herself to herself but she was a nice enough woman, she always said hello when she walked past.
“I was sat upstairs and I just heard a girl shouting ‘DJ’.
“I heard the girl screaming ‘I can’t get to her’ and the next thing someone was kicking the door in.
“I know they were American bulldog type dogs. She was only a little woman, she didn’t really stand a chance.
“They always seemed like they were nice enough dogs, they were never out of control.";
No arrests have been made so far.
Cops have cordoned off a terraced house as they continue their investigation.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "At around 5.15pm on Tuesday 24 September North West Ambulance Service informed police that a 43-year-old woman had been attacked by two dogs at an address on Graham Road in Widnes.
"Officers attended and discovered that the woman from Widnes was in a serious condition.
"She was treated at the scene by paramedics however sadly passed away.
"Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances."
Her next of kin have been informed.
Detective Inspector Ian Whiley said: “We understand that people in the local community will be concerned when they hear about what has happened.
"But I would like to reassure residents that we are doing all that we can to establish the full circumstances of the incident.