The victim who died in a vicious dog attack in Surrey earlier this month has been identified.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was attacked while walking several dogs on January 12 at around 2.45pm in Gravelly Hill, Caterham, Surrey.
Eyewitnesses reported that the dogs were “acting as a pack of small wolves”. Despite the best efforts of medics, the woman died at the scene.
Both Surrey Police and the coroner had refused to name the victim, but this afternoon (Monday, January 30) she was listed of the Surrey Coroner’s Court website ahead on an inquest tomorrow (Tuesday, January 31).
Police said they detained eight animals after the horrifying incident. It reportedly took place after one dog bit another dog walker before going after Miss Johnston.
A second woman was taken to hospital but police said their condition was “non life-threatening”. She has since been discharged.
Miss Johnston was declared dead at the scene.
Last week, police said that “no prosecutions are being brought against individuals” with regards to the incident.
It has been alleged that one of the dogs involved previously appeared in a BBC show about troublesome pups.
Shiva, an 11-stone Leonburger named after the Hindu god of destruction, appeared in a BBC2 programme 10 Puppies and Us when much younger.
Richard Bream, who runs the nearby Mardens Kennels, said: “That particular area, View Point, is an area where professional dog walkers will turn up in their van and take the dogs out and walk them.
“I’ve always felt you see some of these dog walkers have five or six, and they shouldn’t be able to do that.”
Speaking to the Sun, another local resident said: “She just had too many dogs. You cannot be in control with that number of dogs.
“They were in a frenzy, acting as a pack of small wolves and going for whatever was in front of them.”
Inspector Lyndsey Whatley, borough commander for Tandridge, said on January 13: “This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“I know that yesterday’s events will be of real concern to the local community and I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police whilst we investigate the circumstances of what has happened.”
