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Woman in her 20s dead after reports of dog attack

Police were called to Gravelly Hill in Caterham on Thursday afternoon.

Catherine Wylie
Thursday 12 January 2023 16:20 EST
A woman in her 20s has reportedly died in a dog attack
A woman in her 20s has reportedly died in a dog attack (PA Wire)

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A woman has died and another is in hospital after reports of a dog attack.

Surrey Police said officers were called to Gravelly Hill in Caterham following reports of a dog attacking members of the public at 2.45pm on Thursday afternoon.

A woman in her 20s was pronounced dead at the scene, the force said.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody

Chief Inspector Alan Sproston

Police said a second woman is in hospital receiving treatment for dog bites and her condition is not life-threatening.

Armed officers, with support from the National Police Air Service, detained a total of seven dogs at the scene and they are in police custody.

Several road closures are in place around Gravelly Hill and officers remain at the scene.

Chief Inspector Alan Sproston said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who sadly died this afternoon.

“This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody.

“Our investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and we would ask the community not to speculate.”

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