Teenager, 19, killed in horror XL Bully attack ‘bitten on face and neck’ as out-of-control animal mauled her
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.
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.”
Family member Caelia Dorsett previously paid tribute to Morgan on Facebook writing: “My sweet angel.
“There are no words that describe this feeling. I am so grateful for all the memories we made together and having you as my ‘built in bestie’.
“You truly were an amazing person inside and out. Taking some time to spend with family and friends.
“I appreciate all the support and messages and I will get back to everyone shortly.”
Friends of the 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.”
The UK government website states it’s a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless you have a valid Certificate of Exemption.
This ban came in on 1 February 2024 and was due to a significant rise in reported attacks with multiple fatalities over the past few years.
It’s also an offence to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon one, give the dog away, breed XL Bully’s or take the dog out in public without a lead or a muzzle.
Those who own an XL Bully without an exemption can face a criminal record and their pet may be taken and destroyed.
NHS consultant Richard Baker told the BBC the breed is particularly dangerous due to its jaw strength.
XL Bullys can cause more damage than other dogs including broken bones, torn skin and nerve damage.
He said: “It’s a crushing or a tearing injury. Once they grip, they don’t let go.”
Just last month, two XL Bully dogs were shot 19 times as cops intervened an attack on a pensioner.
The victim was in a critical but stable condition in hospital and a 29-year-old woman was arrested.
Fatal XL Bully attacks
A 10-year-old girl, locally named as Savannah, killed by her “new pet”, and XL Bully, on Friday November 1, 2024.
Woman in her 50s mauled to death at home by two XL Bully dogs in Hornchurch, East London on May 21, 2024.
Esther Martin, 68, was looking after her grandson in Jaywick, Essex, when dogs Bear and Beauty attacked her on February 3, 2024.
Ian “Scouse” Langley, 54, was protecting his puppy when the animal pounced on him outside a home in Sunderland in October 2023.
Ian Price, 52, was viciously savaged in September 2023 by the beasts as he tried to protect his elderly mum from them after they escaped.
Jonathan Hogg, 37, was killed in May 2023 entered the dog’s pen when it went for him, leaving bite wounds on his arm, leg and head.
Natasha Johnston, 28, was mauled to death while walking a pack of dogs in January 2023 was believed to have been killed by her own pet – an American Bully XL.
Shirley Patrick, 83, died 17 days after being mauled in a “hellish”, violent dog attack in December 2022.
Ian Symes, 34, who was known to friends as “Wiggy”, died at a recreation ground in Fareham, Hampshire, after the savage attack in August 2022.
Joanne Robinson, 43, was fatally mauled by pet Rocco at her home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in July 2022.
Keven Jones, 62, went into cardiac arrest after being bitten by Cookie-Doe at Chanel Fong’s home in Wrexham, North Wales in May 2022.
Bella-Rae Birch, one, was mauled to death in March 2022 at her home by the American Bully XL.
Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a hulking XL Bully dog named Beast in November 2021 as he played at friend’s home in Caerphilly.