Woman, 28, who was mauled to death by pack of eight dogs she was hired to walk is named at coroners court

• Natasha Johnston was attacked at Gravelly Hill beauty spot in Caterham, Surrey
• The animals were seized but police confirmed no individual prosecutions 
• Surrey’s Coroner’s Court had earlier refused to release the name of the victim 

A woman who was mauled to death by dogs has been named for the first time as Natasha Johnston.

The 28-year-old dog walker died after a frenzied attack by the canines at the Gravelly Hill beauty spot in Caterham, Surrey, on January 12. 

Eight dogs were seized at the scene although police confirmed last week that there would be no individual prosecutions. 

Surrey’s Coroner’s Court had earlier refused to release the name of the woman who died – despite a requirement to make her identity public – as the ‘family do not give permission’. 

The 28-year-old dog walker died after a frenzied attack by the canines at the Gravelly Hill beauty spot in Caterham, Surrey, on January 12 

Eight dogs were seized at the scene although police confirmed last week that there would be no individual prosecutions 

Dog walkers in the Surrey district of Tandridge, where the woman died, must apply for a licence at £156.50 a year.

The only exception is where the business is already licensed under the Animal Welfare Act for boarding and day care.

There is no national limit on the number of dogs an individual can walk at one time. But Tandridge council has set the maximum at six – suggesting the tragic victim of Thursday’s mauling may have exceeded the limit if she was running a commercial operation.

Walkers are also required to have third-party liability cover for a minimum of £5million if they are using an outdoor council facility and a licence is required if a professional walker is using council-owned land.

The council requires dog walkers to prove they are ‘registered with a recognised body such as the National Association of Professional Dog Walkers’. 

It comes after it emerged that an 11stone Leonberger that was among the pack of animals appeared on BBC TV show about problem puppies – and was renamed Shiva because it was so unruly.

The pet, believed to be among the eight dogs seized by police after the tragedy,  appeared with her owner Delia Lewis, on BBC Two’s 10 Puppies and Us in 2017.

Originally called Maple, she was filmed running around professional psychic Ms Lewis’ home and going to the toilet on the carpet.  

Ms Lewis posted on social media after the incident that her dog, whose name she had to change due to her unruly behaviour, was ‘one of the ones missing’.

She added: ‘She’s a Leonberger, please if you have any information please tell me where to go or what to do.’ 

There has been increased concern among dog walking communities since the attack, especially as none of the dogs involved were banned breeds. 

The attack has also raised questions about differing council rules for the number of dogs one person can walk at a time. Most councils vary between four and six dogs. 

It is understood that Ms Johnston had been walking a number of dogs at the time of her death. 

A source close to the case told the Daily Mail: ‘She just had too many dogs. You cannot be in control with that amount of dogs. If something happens, it’s like having seven small wolves attacking you.

‘The dogs were in a frenzy, acting as a pack, and going for whatever was in front of them.’

One of the dogs had moments earlier attacked and bitten another woman who was walking her own dog – and she fled, injured.

It is thought Ms Johnston may then have fallen under attack from the seven or eight dogs she was walking.

Shiva, an 11st Leonburger, was among eight dogs with the victim – and was a troublesome puppy who chewed anything she could get her paws on

Another woman was hospitalised and eight dogs were recovered at the scene after police responded following the attack at 2.45pmon January 12

When two horsemen stumbled upon the graphic scene, she shouted: ‘Go back, go back’.

The owners of dogs that kill someone can be jailed for up to 14 years or face an unlimited fine or both.

And even if there are no deaths, they can still face five years prison if the animal injures someone.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Josephine Horner, said: ‘This is a tragic incident in which a young woman lost her life.

‘I know it has caused real concern locally and I thank the community for bearing with us whilst we conducted our inquiries.

‘The criminal investigation has now concluded and the information we have gathered will be passed to the Surrey coroner to assist in the coronial process.

‘The dogs continue to be cared for at private kennels to ensure their welfare and their owners are being kept informed.

‘We appreciate this is a difficult and uncertain process for them as the forensic work continues.’

Source: Read Full Article