Woman killed and man suffers ‘life-changing’ injuries in Rotherham dog attack

A woman has been killed and a man has suffered life-changing injuries in a dog attack in Rotherham.

The 43-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to a property in the town at 10.15pm on Friday night.

The man, 42, was rushed to hospital with injuries to his hand, face and abdomen.

Two dogs have been seized and removed from the property.

It is unclear what breed they are, although South Yorkshire Police said neither were considered banned breeds’ under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

A statement from the force said: “We were called to a property on Masefield Road in West Melton at about 10.15pm last night by a member of the public stating a dog had attacked himself and a woman.

“Officers attended with a Yorkshire Ambulance crew and found a man, aged 42, with a potentially life-altering injury to one hand, plus injuries to his other hand, abdomen and face. He was transported to hospital for further treatment.

“The woman, aged 43, had been fatally bitten and despite the best efforts of emergency crews was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The dog, plus another dog at the property, were secured by specially trained officers. Neither dog was of a banned breed.”

No arrests have been made made.

The incident is only the latest in a series of fatal attacks this year which number at least six and include a three-month-old baby mauled to death by a husky in Lincolnshire, a three-year-old boy killed by a cane corso near Rochdale and a 62-year-old man who died after being savaged by his daughter-in-law’s XL bully.