Irwin Mitchell Welcome Swift Investigation Into How Wigan Girl Was Killed

By Suzanne Rutter

Specialist lawyers have called for the Government to implement tougher dog laws after a 14-year-old girl was tragically killed by five ‘out of control’ dogs in Greater Manchester.

Jade Anderson’s body was discovered by police at a house in Atherton, near Wigan, yesterday (Tuesday, 26 March), where she was visiting a friend.

Police have not established the cause of death but said her injuries were ‘consistent with having been attacked by dogs.’

Officers from Greater Manchester Police later destroyed four of the dogs and post-mortems will be carried out today to confirm their breed and if they are on the dangerous dogs list. Early indications were two of the dogs were bull mastiffs and two may be Staffordshire bull terriers.

David Urpeth, an expert in dangerous dog attacks at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said: “This case shows the devastating consequences dog attacks can have on people’s lives. With the number of hospital admissions in relation to dog bites as well as people being sentenced for such attacks on the rise, it is clear that new measures are needed to address this issue and provide better protection to the general public.

“We welcome a swift investigation by police into Jade’s death and hope lessons can be learnt so that tragedies like this can be prevented in future.

“We are also eagerly awaiting the results of the Government’s consultation into new measures such as compulsory microchipping for puppies – designed to help in the crackdown on dangerous dogs and the threats they pose to the public – and have long campaigned for ministers to consider the introduction of insurance and licensing that would ensure victims of attacks can get the help they need.

“Because of this, we are hopeful that these new sentencing guidelines will be just the first step in a series which will underline just how serious this issue should be treated.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the force ‘will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy.’