A dog walker has died from multiple dog bites on the neck, a judicial investigation has learned.
Natasha Johnston, 28, died of “several penetrating dog bites to the neck” and a wound to her jugular vein, an inquest into her death at Surrey Coroner’s Court has heard.
The coroner sitting in Woking revealed that post-mortem examination showed Natasha had been killed by shock and a haemorrhage, including perforation of the left jugular vein and multiple penetrating dog bites to the neck after being mauled by dogs in Gravelly Hill, Caterham, on January 12 , Surrey.
At the opening of an inquest into her death, coroner Simon Wickens expressed his “sincere condolences” to Mrs Johnston’s family “and all those who have been touched by her life”.
The coroner said on Tuesday: “A post-mortem examination was carried out at Royal Surrey County Hospital on 18 January.
“The medical cause of death (was) given as 1a) shock and hemorrhage including perforation of the left jugular vein, and in 1b) the pathologist places multiple penetrating dog bites on her neck.
“The reason for the required inquest is the nature of the traumatic injuries.”
Mr Wickens formally acknowledged Mrs Johnston’s family, who was from Surrey, as interested parties in the proceedings.
“I offer my sincere condolences to Natasha’s family and everyone who has been touched by her life,” he said.
He set a June 29 date for the inquest to begin, but added that this could be subject to change.
This is a breaking story, more to come.