A TEENAGER who died in an XL bully dog attack sustained face and neck injuries, the opening of an inquest has heard.
Morgan Dorsett, 19, was killed by the dog inside a flat in the Hartcliffe area of Bristol on February 26 earlier this year.
PAMorgan Dorsett, 19, was killed by the dog in February[/caption]
The teen was identified by her heartbroken mother, Marie Smith, after paramedics tragically pronounced her dead at the scene.
Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp told the inquest: “Morgan received significant dog bites to her face and neck, resulting in her sad death.”
She added: “I understand that there are family concerns regarding the police criminal investigation.”
A preliminary cause of death of dog bites to the neck was given to the hearing.
The male dog, named Prince, was seized and put down after the horror.
Morgan’s family are set to prepare a statement, alongside police and paramedics, for the final inquest hearing.
A full post-mortem report and toxicology report will also be submitted.
This comes after a man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, were were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and resulting in death.
They were also detained on suspicion of possession of a prohibited breed of dog.
The man and woman have since been released on conditional bail.
Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, said: “Because of the pending criminal investigation, I am not going to list this. It will be on a date to be fixed.”
Avon and Somerset Police neighbourhood inspector Terry Murphy said in a press conference the day after the tragedy: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident.
“They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.
“I’d also like to thank the officers and paramedics who attended yesterday evening and tried to save her life. Support is in place for them.”
Friends of Morgan’s family have since set up a GoFundMe and raised more than £8,000.
Organiser Sharon Harris, wrote in an emotional tribute: “The tragedy of losing a loved one is painful, that pain must be unimaginable when you lose someone so young and in such a tragic way.
“Morgan was a a truly beautiful girl. One of the ‘blonde bombshells’. She was strong, kind and so full of life.
“The loss will be felt by all who knew her and no more than in our close community. I cannot find the words that are going to comfort her family, but I need to feel that I am doing something.
“The family will have not just their grief to deal with but practicalities too. I wanted to lighten that burden in some way.
“I think we can all show our love for such a beautiful girl by giving a small amount to help cover some of the financial burdens this family will undoubtedly face.
“Anything raised will be for the family to use to cover funeral and memorial costs. Allow the family time to grieve so covering essential bills while they take time from work, anything they need.”
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