XL bullies latest - Son pays tribute to mother killed in suspected dangerous dog attack

A grandmother has died after being attacked by two dogs described as XL Bullies while visiting her 11-year-old grandson in Jaywick.

Essex Police were called to Hillman Avenue shortly after 4pm on Saturday where they found the victim, named by her family as Esther Martin, seriously injured.

The 68-year-old, from Woodford Green, London, was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack is thought to have involved two XL bully-type dogs.

A grandmother has died after being attacked by two dogs described as XL Bullies while visiting her 11-year-old grandson in Jaywick.

Essex Police were called to Hillman Avenue shortly after 4pm on Saturday where they found the victim, named by her family as Esther Martin, 68, seriously injured.

The victim’s daughter, Sonia Martin, from Chesterfield, told Mail Online: “They were XL bullies. There were eight of them in the house, six puppies and two adults.

“Her grandson was in the house. He came running out shouting for help. We would like to thank all the neighbours who tried to help our mum.”

A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of dangerous dog offences following the death of a 68-year-old grandmother has been released on conditional bail until March 5, Essex Police said.

The force said that investigations into the death of grandmother Esther Martin are continuing this morning and “making good progress”.

Esther died after being attacked by two dogs described as XL Bullies while visiting her 11-year-old grandson in Jaywick.

Acting Detective Superintendent Stuart Truss said: “We’re making good progress in our investigation into Esther’s death. It is an investigation with a number of complexities, but we are determined to give Esther’s family the answers they need.

He added: “We are working with experts to confirm the breed of the dogs. This may take some days but it’s really important we get it right.”

The daughter of a woman who was killed after being attacked by two suspected XL bully dogs cried as she paid tribute to her.

Police were called to an address in Jaywick, Essex, after 4pm on Saturday where officers found the victim, named by her family as Esther Martin, seriously injured.

The 68-year-old, from Woodford Green, London, was pronounced dead at the scene. The attack is thought to have involved two XL bully-type dogs.

Ms Martin’s daughter Sonia Martin broke down in tears during a live interview with the BBC on Monday (5 February), as she paid tribute to her mother.

The daughter of a grandmother who was killed in a suspected XL bully attack said she was killed while trying to distract the puppies from fighting.

Esther Martin was tragically killed in Jaywick, Essex on Saturday while visiting her grandson.

Her daughter, Sonia Martin told the BBC that she believes the 68-year-old was attacked while following instructions of the owner who was not present and told her to distract the puppies with a broom if they began fighting.

“The owner had left my mum with the dogs and my nephew and gone off somewhere even though my mum had raised concerns about them,” she said.

“His direction to my mum as we understand it was that if the puppies were fighting that she needed to put a broom in there and distract the puppies with the broom. Like run it over the floor and shake it to get the puppy’s attention so they stop fighting with each other and chase the broom.

“From our understanding, it was at this point my mum was attacked.”

An official definition of the breed published by the UK government, describes features of the breed including a “heavy, large and broad” head and a “blocky or slightly squared” muzzle.

The dog is a variant of the American bully dog. XL refers to their size, and there are four categories: pocket, standard, classic and XL, the last of which tend to be around 33-50cm in height and weigh in at 20-60kg.

The definition also classifies the height of an adult male dog being from 20in (51 cm) at the withers and an adult female being from 19in (48cm) at the withers.

It is also described as being “heavily muscled” with a “large, blocky body giving the impression of great power for size”, and a glossy, smooth and close coat.

Both dogs involved in the fatal dog attack that killed a 68-year-old grandma on Saturday were killed by police.

Essex Police confirmed the dogs had been “destroyed inside the house” after they were called to a house in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea shortly after 4pm.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Chief Superintendent Glen Pavelin praised the actions of the responding officers and members of the public who tried to help.

“When Essex Police officers entered the house their priority was - as always - to keep the community safe,” he said.

“Their unflinching bravery and professionalism ensured that there is no ongoing threat to the people of Essex as a result of this incident. Both dogs were destroyed inside the house.”

One neighbour told the BBC they heard the police enter the property and destroy the dogs. Mike Coleman, 74, said he saw a man approaching the address and start shouting.

He said: “He starts whacking at the windows. He appeared panicked and said ‘phone the police’.

“My wife phoned them and minutes later the police came - two cars, then three then five, and then they blocked the road off.

“I heard the shots of them being destroyed, then that was it.”

A 68-year-old grandma was killed on Saturday while visiting her grandson in what is suspected to be an XL bully attack.

Police have not confirmed the breed of the dogs involved in Ester Martin’s death, but neighbours and her daughter have described the dogs as XL bullies - now a banned breed in the UK.

Police or dog experts can judge the type of dog, but this often takes some time.

Dog expert witness Colin Tennant said this is done with lists of characteristics, so it can be classed as a banned breed if it ticks the boxes, even if the dog is crossbred with a breed which is not banned.

Acting Detective Superintendent Stuart Truss from Essex Police said: “We are working with experts to confirm the breed of the dogs. This may take some days but it’s really important we get it right.

“I would ask people not to speculate about this element – we will establish the facts and we will keep the community in Jaywick updated.”

Following public pressure and several attacks involving XL bullies, the government enacted a ban on the breed which came into full effect on February 1.

From December 31 2023 it was illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

XL bullies must also now be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. The dogs must also be microchipped and neutered, with animals under a year old given until the end of 2024 to be neutered while older dogs must be neutered by June.

By 1 February 2024, owners were expected to have registered their XL bullies on the index of exempted dogs. From that date it will be illegal to own an XL bully that is not registered on the index.

The victim of a suspected XL bully attack was “getting her life back together” following the death of her daughter two years ago when she was killed on Saturday.

Ester Martin, 68, was visiting her grandson in Jaywick, Essex when she was attacked by two dogs which have been described as XL bully-type dogs by her other daughter and neighbours.

Sonia Martin, 47, said her mother had worked at Tesco in Leyton, east London but had retired around the time of her daughter’s death and was beginning to get her “life back together”.

“She loved going out on day trips, the coaches were her favourite - she actually had a couple booked with one of her nieces,” she told the BBC.