Woman killed by berserk dog in south London 'bloodbath'

A woman was savaged to death by a giant dog that went berserk in a south London house.

Police marksmen were forced to fire at least four shots to kill the animal after its victim was mauled in a sustained attack lasting several minutes in Wallington.

Neighbours today named her as Barbara Williams, 50, a healthcare assistant in Croydon, and paid tribute to a "very friendly, jovial, nice woman who was always smiling".

Officers were called to the semi-detached house in Demesne Road at 9pm yesterday and were forced to use riot shields to fight off the dog and drag Mrs Williams clear.

Sources described the scene facing officers as a "horrific bloodbath". It is believed the call to the emergency services was made by a teenager in the house.

The dog was said to be either a Belgian or Italian mastiff, usually kept in a cage in the garden at the house. It was shot dead by marksmen who were called in after efforts to subdue it failed. Police also removed another dog from the house. Mrs Williams was pronounced dead from multiple injuries at the scene.

Officers said they were trying to establish what may have led to the killing and added that they had no previous reports of attacks involving the dog.

Police were today trying to trace the animal's owner, who was not in the house at the time.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "The saddest thing is that we are not surprised. It was only a matter of time. We did not get involved with the people there because of the problems with the dog.

"We reported it to police in 2009 but they said that although it was not treated kindly they could not do anything. The dog was kept chained up outside in all weathers. The other one was a different breed and it jumps our fence into the garden.

"The mastiff is so big and kept crashing into our fence. One time it managed to slip its chain and we were concerned for our safety. I went next door to tell them but the lady said she was too scared to do anything about it."

Other neighbours said Mrs Williams had family in Jamaica to whom she regularly sent money. Shop owner Falguni Kshatri, 47, said: "Barbara used to do a Western Union transfer once a month to family in Jamaica.

"I saw her at 8pm yesterday and we waved to each other. I don't think they ever took the dog out but I always see it in the back garden."

She added: "Barbara was a very nice lady, always smiling. I'm sure her family in Jamaica will miss her. It's really sad, especially at Christmas time. She will be missed."

Mrs Kshatri's son Harshal, 25 said: "Barbara came in the shop yesterday to send money home, buy goods and have a chat. She was a lovely lady, always laughing and joking. Her family will be devastated."

Ajit Kumarasinghe, 50, said he worked with Mrs Williams as a healthcare assistant. He added: "We met each other in the hospital and never realised that we lived so close until my wife bumped in to her on the bus. Barbara was a kind person, she was a friendly type, honest and caring.

"We never knew there were such dangerous dogs living around here. It's difficult to believe a dog that size could attack her as she was tall."

Belgian mastiffs, which can grow to a height of 32in and weigh as much as 110lb, are not classified under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The killing is just the latest serious dog attack on a human.

A girl of four was scarred for life in October after being attacked by a Japanese akita in Lee-on-Solent, Hants.