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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Dog kills owner in horror attack | Dog kills owner in horror attack |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A 78-year-old man has died hours after being mauled by his rottweiler dog as he lay on an east London street. | A 78-year-old man has died hours after being mauled by his rottweiler dog as he lay on an east London street. |
| Witnesses said James Rehill "looked like a doll" as the animal shook and bit him in Plaistow, on Sunday morning. | Witnesses said James Rehill "looked like a doll" as the animal shook and bit him in Plaistow, on Sunday morning. |
| Residents tried to free Mr Rehill but it was only when police officers discharged six fire extinguishers at the dog that it released its owner. | Residents tried to free Mr Rehill but it was only when police officers discharged six fire extinguishers at the dog that it released its owner. |
| Mr Rehill was taken to hospital suffering from severe head and facial injuries and died later that night. | Mr Rehill was taken to hospital suffering from severe head and facial injuries and died later that night. |
| Aziz Rahman, 32, saw the attack, which happened at about 0700 GMT, from his bedroom window. | Aziz Rahman, 32, saw the attack, which happened at about 0700 GMT, from his bedroom window. |
| Baseball bats | Baseball bats |
| He said: "There was a man lying on the floor and a dog was over him, licking and biting him. | He said: "There was a man lying on the floor and a dog was over him, licking and biting him. |
| "He looked like a doll, the dog was pulling at him. | "He looked like a doll, the dog was pulling at him. |
| A police officer used a fire extinguisher to scare the dog off | |
| "There was blood all over his face." | "There was blood all over his face." |
| Mr Rahman described how residents had tried to distract the dog by hitting baseball bats against a wall but the animal did not respond. | Mr Rahman described how residents had tried to distract the dog by hitting baseball bats against a wall but the animal did not respond. |
| He said: "There must have been 10 to 12 police cars but nobody could do anything to get the dog off him. | He said: "There must have been 10 to 12 police cars but nobody could do anything to get the dog off him. |
| "Eventually one officer used a fire extinguisher to scare the dog off." | "Eventually one officer used a fire extinguisher to scare the dog off." |
| Police have launched an investigation into the death. | Police have launched an investigation into the death. |
| A police statement said armed officers were called because the dog was "dangerously out of control". | A police statement said armed officers were called because the dog was "dangerously out of control". |
| Local taxi driver Bill Collins said he regularly saw the man walking his dog but he did not believe the animal was a "mad dog". | Local taxi driver Bill Collins said he regularly saw the man walking his dog but he did not believe the animal was a "mad dog". |
| Newham Borough Commander Nick Bracken said: "This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts today are obviously with the family and friends of the deceased man." | Newham Borough Commander Nick Bracken said: "This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts today are obviously with the family and friends of the deceased man." |
| He said his officers "put their lives at risk" to protect other members of the public. | He said his officers "put their lives at risk" to protect other members of the public. |