A woman in her 50s has been found dead at a boarding kennel in Western Australia, the victim of a reported mauling attack by two dogs.
The woman, who has not been identified, was attacked yesterday afternoon at the property in the Perth suburb of Southern River. The property doubles as a canine boarding facility. Police were called to the premises at around 1:30pm yesterday afternoon.
Concerns for the woman were raised when she failed to turn up at the local childcare centre where she worked. Her daughter subsequently encountered the scene after she visited the property to check on her mother.
City of Gosnells rangers were called to the property by police to retrieve an animal that was preventing officers and medical personnel from accessing the woman’s body. Paramedics subsequently declared the woman dead a short time later.
At the request of police, two dogs – a bullmastiff, and a Staffordshire bull terrier – were seized and impounded by rangers. Both animals were registered to the owner of the property, and one is believed to have been living with the deceased woman for as long as four years. Neighbours report that both dogs were known to be aggressive, and required locking away when visitors approached the property.
The City of Gosnells issued a statement confirming the woman’s death and the seizure of the animals:
The City is currently holding two dogs that were taken from the property.
The adult, male dogs, one a bull mastiff and the other a Staffordshire bull terrier, are being held at the request of police. An investigation is being conducted by the police and the City is waiting to hear further from them.
The dogs are microchipped and registered to the owner of the property. No previous complaints have been made to the City about these dogs.
Police confirmed the woman’s death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report is being compiled for the coroner. Council officials are awaiting direction from police before deciding what, if any, action will be with the animals.
