Owner of 8st ‘XL Bully’ dog who killed teenager in attack had been searching for trainer over ‘hyper-fixated’ behaviour

THE owner of a dangerous dog – believed to be an XL Bully – which mauled a teenager to death, had been looking for a trainer due to the animal’s “hyper-fixated” behaviour.

Kelcie Jones had asked members of Facebook group XL Bullys and Large Breeds for a Bristol-based expert in November last year.

The dog, thought to be called Prince – and which is estimated to have weighed 8st – attacked and killed Kelcie’s cousin, 19-year-old Morgan Dorsett.

The teen is understood to have been staying at her relative’s flat in Cobhorn Drive in Withywood, south Bristol, when the incident occurred on Wednesday.

In her post, Kelcie said: “Any1 recommend good trainers around the Bristol area?

“Got a 50-55kg boy main issue is pulling and hyper-fixating on things. (Tried all the main training tips and equipment). Tia x”

Morgan was visiting the property from her home in Shropshire, and had spent almost two days there when the horror happened.

It comes after claims the dog had tried to attack a neighbour three weeks before.

A 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.”

‘A SCREAM I’LL NEVER FORGET’

Neighbours have told how they heard screams and saw the owner sitting in the street covered in blood after the ferocious attack.

Despite efforts from paramedics, Morgan tragically died in the flat and the dog, which police believe to be an XL Bully, was destroyed.

Witness Nicola Harrison, 58, told the MailOnline “there was constant screaming” until around 10.30pm.

She said: “The woman was covered in blood, it was all down her legs. She was going on about her dog.”

She added: “It’s a scream I will not forget – she was sat on my steps screaming. One of the neighbours took her in. I can still hear her screams.

“I just thought a dog had been attacked. I was wondering why there were all these police here. Then I found out a girl had died.”

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.

Kelcie paid tribute to another female dog, also believed to be an XL Bully on her Facebook page on November 13.

She updated her profile picture featuring her and a brown and white coloured canine, writing: “2021-2024 (hreat emoji) 4ever my sweet goofy girl Remi (heart emoji) you was my whole life and I’ll spend the rest of it missing you.”

She was a member of groups against legislation to add XL Bullys to the banned breed, which happened in September 2023.

Shocked neighbours and family have left flowers at the gates of the home.

Yesterday, Morgan’s mum Marie, also from Shropshire, left a bunch of colourful blooms with a heart-breaking note.

A card read: “Monkey Bum. Forever my baby girl. Love you forever and ever. Mum and Matt.”

A candle in a lantern has also been placed at the front door to the upstairs flat.

‘MY SWEET ANGEL’

Family member Caelia Dorsett 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.”

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.”