British 85yo woman dead after being mauled by two dogs

Lucille Downer.
Lucille Downer. Photo credit: West Midlands police

Warning: This article contains graphic details that may disturb some people.

An 85-year-old British woman is dead after being mauled to death by two dogs that had escaped from a neighbouring property.

Lucille Downer was in her garden in Birmingham, England on Friday (local time) when the two dogs, believed to have escaped through a hole in a fence, launched the attack.

"Although neighbours rushed to her aid… she was sadly confirmed dead at the scene soon afterwards," West Midlands police said.

"A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and death was caused."

Downer's family said in a statement she will be dearly missed.

"Lucille was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who spent her working years as a cook at Bromford House Care Home in West Bromwich."

According to local police, the man charged over the attack has been released on bail.