Key keywords: Dunmow dog attack, fatal Essex dog assault, 2024 UK dog attack death, Essex Police dangerous dog investigation, XL Bully attack UK, UK banned dog breeds, dangerous dog ownership regulations Essex Police has officially launched a full criminal investigation after a woman was killed in a dog attack in Great Dunmow, Essex, on Wednesday 12 June 2024. Emergency services were called to a residential property on Oak Road in the town centre shortly after 2:15pm, following multiple reports from neighbours of a violent dog disturbance and screams for help. When paramedics and police officers arrived at the scene, they found the female victim, who has not yet been publicly named pending notification of next of kin, with extensive, life-threatening bite wounds across her body. She was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for emergency treatment, but died from her injuries at approximately 9:30pm the same day. First responders confirmed that two large dogs were seized at the property and are currently being held in secure police kennels, with experts conducting breed verification tests to confirm if they are XL Bullies, the breed that was added to the UK’s Dangerous Dogs Act banned list in December 2023 following a sharp rise in fatal and serious attacks across the country. Under the current ban, XL Bully owners are required to have a valid exemption certificate, ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a short lead at all times in public, and have the animals neutered to prevent further breeding. Essex Police’s Dangerous Dog Unit lead, Inspector Claire Smith, released a public statement on Thursday morning confirming that no arrests have been made at this stage, but officers are speaking with the owner of the dogs, a 42-year-old man from Great Dunmow, as part of ongoing enquiries. Investigators are also calling on any members of the public who witnessed the attack, have CCTV or doorbell camera footage from the Oak Road area between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday, or have information about the dogs’ previous behaviour to contact Essex Police quoting incident reference 123/24. The attack has sparked widespread concern among local residents in the usually quiet market town, with many taking to social media to share their experiences of encountering off-leash, unmuzzled large dogs in public spaces in recent months. Local Uttlesford District Council councillor for Dunmow, Dave Harris, has called for an urgent review of local dangerous dog enforcement resources, noting that the council currently only has two part-time animal welfare officers responsible for patrolling the entire 250 square mile district, making regular compliance checks almost impossible.