‘XL Bully’ named Prince which mauled woman, 19, to death launched vicious attack on neighbour 3 weeks before horror

A DOG that mauled a 19-year-old woman to death had tried to attack a neighbour three weeks before, it is claimed.

The XL Bully-type dog, believed to have been called Prince, was put down by cops after killing teen Morgan Dorsett on Wednesday in south Bristol.

It is understood she had been visiting a cousin – the owner of the dog – at an upstairs flat in a residential block at the time.

A local claimed she too had almost been attacked by the killer dog just three weeks ago in the street.

The woman, in her mid-20s and who asked not to be identified, said: “I was coming back home with some shopping late afternoon and I saw the dog and its owner walking towards me.

“The closer I got to them, the more the dog was pulling at its lead and when I was a few metres away it was barking and growling like mad and was clearly trying to get at me.

“The owner was pulling it back with all his strength and only just managed to keep it, kind of, under control.

“I don’t know whether the dog was going for me or whatever food was in my shopping bags, but it was absolutely terrifying.

“I was so upset about it that I considered calling the police and spoke to my neighbour about it.

“She told me she had had a run-in with it as well, in similar circumstances a couple of weeks earlier.

“In the end I decided against contacting the police because I didn’t want any trouble.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking for the woman who died and her family. Thank God this dangerous animal has now been destroyed.

“The breed should be banned. We seem to be reading about these kind of attacks every day now. Something needs to be done.”

Morgan’s family have now spoken out to thank the public for their support but asked for privacy.

While the formal identification process is yet to be completed, officers were told her identity at the scene.

‘MY SWEET ANGEL’

Family member Caelia Dorsett paid tribute to her 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.”

Officers from Avon and Somerset Police were called to an incident inside a flat in Cobhorn Drive in the Hartcliffe area of the city at 7.19pm on Wednesday.

Paramedics and police officers attended but the young woman, who was attacked by a dog believed to have been an XL bully, died at the scene.

A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and possession of a prohibited breed of dog.

On Friday, a police spokesman confirmed that the two suspects had been released on conditional bail.

In a press conference on Thursday, neighbourhood inspector Terry Murphy said the dog involved in the attack had been put down.

He said: “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.

“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”