Sutton pitbull was 'too vicious to be kept indoors' claims witness

The 38-year-old charity worker, believed to be called Maureen, entered a period house converted into flats in Benhill Avenue, Sutton, and as she opened the door the dog leaped from the communal area and attacked her.

A source told the Sutton Guardian: “The dog was so vicious he had to be kept in the communal area when people wanted to sleep in one of the rooms.

“The dog was bought three weeks before the attack for protection.”

Police said the two-year- old pitbull is being kept at a police kennel and his future might be decided in court.

The mauled woman, a mother of two from Camberwell, was an employee of charity Centrepoint.

She is believed to be a charity worker caring for young people in temporary accommodation at the building, which is owned by Metropolitan Housing Partnership Trust.

A spokeswoman from Centrepoint said: “Centrepoint can confirm a member of staff was attacked by a dog at one of our services.

“The matter is under police investigation and the member of staff has received medical treatment and is making a good recovery.”

Geoffrey Primmer, 36, of Sutton, a passerby who heard the woman’s screams as she was being mauled, rushed to her aid and managed to release her from the dog’s grip.

Another passerby, builder Jason Wyeth, 38, also from Sutton, gave the injured woman first aid.

He wrapped another man’s coat round her arm to stop the bleeding and tried to keep her conscious until the ambulance arrived.

She needed several operations after the horrific incident and is still being treated in hospital.

Officers arrested two women, both aged 18, at the Benhill Avenue address for being in control of a dangerous dog under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

They have been bailed to return to Sutton Police station in June.

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