Woman dies after being attacked by two dogs in Cheshire

A woman has died after being attacked by two dogs at a house in Widnes, Cheshire Police have said.

A neighbour told Sky News he heard girls screaming that their mother was being attacked by what he believed were the family's pets.

Paramedics found Elayne Stanley in a serious condition after being called at about 5.15pm on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old was treated at the scene, but could not be saved.

Ms Stanley's neighbour, Jason Brennan, told Sky's North of England correspondent Katerina Vittozzi that he heard the girls screaming from a rear bedroom window that "the dogs have got me mum".

He explained that some neighbours attempted to save the mother of twin daughters by distracting the dogs.

"I said just stay in the room and lock the door to keep [the dogs] out," Mr Brennan said. "[Other neighbours] ran in and threw bricks at the dogs to try and distract them. They got them into a back room and then the girls ran out the front door."

Mr Brennan said the dogs were family pets that "the kids doted on".

Following the attack, police said repeated attempts were made by officers to safely secure the two dogs to remove them from the home.

While one was safely detained, officers couldn't secure the second dog.

Attempts were made to tranquillise it, but they were not successful and the dog had to be destroyed.

The other dog remains in a secure kennel.

"We understand that people in the local community will be concerned when they hear about what has happened," said Detective Inspector Ian Whiley. "But I would like to reassure residents that we are doing all that we can to establish the full circumstances of the incident."

Mr Whiley said they believe the dogs were known to Ms Stanley and lived in the home.

"This has been an extremely distressing incident and our thoughts are with the woman's family at this difficult time," he said.

Ms Stanley's next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.