19-year-old Jamie-Lea Biscoe killed by beloved pet
A 19-year-old girl died from severe neck injuries after being attacked by her family dog at their home in Leaden Roding, near Great Dunmow. Jamie-Lea Biscoe was found by her father on April 10, slumped in a bedroom with “serious, traumatic injuries to her neck,” Essex Coroner’s Court revealed. The wounds are believed to have been inflicted by the family dog, suspected to be a lurcher-cross.
Father suffers injuries trying to save daughter
Jamie-Lea’s father, Jack, discovered her and was also attacked during the ordeal, sustaining puncture wounds to his arm and losing part of his ear. Speaking to The Sun, Jack said, “I just said to them, ‘please just put her down’. I don’t want to see her ever again… I just don’t think that dog should live anymore.”
Police investigation ongoing, inquest paused
Paramedics rushed to the family home on Long Hide but could not save Jamie-Lea. A post-mortem confirmed her death was caused by neck injuries. Essex Police have seized the dog and are carrying out tests to confirm its breed. Essex’s Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes has suspended the inquest pending the ongoing police inquiry, calling the teen’s death a “truly tragic loss of life” and offering condolences to her family.
Family heartbreak and calls for all dogs to be put down
Jack has pleaded for the dog named Shy, a blue-merle female lurcher-cross, to be euthanised. The family’s other dogs, Bella and Mouse (pups of Shy), were not involved but Jack wants them destroyed too. He said, “My daughter was not killed by an XL Bully, she was killed by a genuine family dog. I thought I could trust that dog with my life and it took my daughter’s life.” Jack added, “I lost my entire life that night when my daughter was murdered by another member of my family.”
Legal action and community in shock
Jack was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death but was later released on bail. The inquest will resume once the police investigation concludes. The heartbreaking case has sent shockwaves through the quiet Essex village.
