The father of a teenager who was killed in a dog attack has told of the horrific moment he discovered his daughter dead at home.
Jack Biscoe, 37, found his daughter Jamie-Lea Biscoe, 19, collapsed on the floor in his bedroom at around 10.45pm on Friday.
Police rushed to the scene in the village of Leaden Roding, Essex, but the teenager was pronounced dead after suffering a bite wound to her neck.
The dog, a seven-year-old blue-merle lurcher called Shy, has been seized by police along with her puppies following Jamie-Lea’s tragic death.
Her tearful father has now told of the ‘horror and destruction’ her death has caused him despite describing the family pet as the ‘softest dog’ and her daughter’s ‘best friend’.
Mr Biscoe, who had part of his ear bitten off by Shy after trying to save his daughter’s life by giving her CPR, told The Sun: ‘Witnessing the horror and destruction it has caused me, it’s not worth it. Treat them as dogs, give them their beds, be careful.’
He added: ‘I thought I could trust that dog with my life and it took my daughter’s life.’
The 37-year-old also warned families about ‘just how quick a dog can take away a life’, adding that dangerous dogs are ‘not breed specific’.
Mr Biscoe was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death, then subsequently released on bail on Saturday night.
He discovered his daughter unconscious between his bed and bedside table after coming home from KFC with his partner Steven Daniels, 43, on Friday evening.
As he tried to save his teenager Shy attacked him, leaving the father-of-one with puncture wounds in his arms as well as the injuries to his ear, which will require reconstructive surgery.
He described his daughter as his ‘best friend’, adding that her death was ‘so painful’.
‘I don’t know how to step forward without that child in my life. She was my only child,’ he said.
Mr Biscoe, a horse trainer, bought Shy when she was seven-weeks-old. Her 18-month-old puppies Bella and Mouse were downstairs at the time of the attack.
A GoFundMe page set up yesterday by Jamie-Lea’s aunt, Maria, to raise money for funeral costs has so far received nearly £3,000 in donations.
It reads: ‘On Friday April 10 Jamie was tragically attacked and killed at her home by her pet dog.
‘She had been the family pet for seven years and had never shown any sign of aggression before this sad tragic incident.
‘Jamie-Lea was the kindest most beautiful young adult and would have done anything for anyone.
‘She loved life and her family but most of all she adored her dad Jack. We are trying to raise funds to pay for her funeral, so we can give her the best send off.’
Relatives have paid tribute to Jamie-Lea on social media, with a loved one commenting: ‘Our darling Jamie-Lea rip our girl.’
Another, Tina Wells, described the dog as a ‘seven-year-old lurcher’ – adding she was a ‘family pet’.
Ms Wells said: ‘She slept on my granddaughter’s bed. It’s devastating.’
Another person commented: ‘Such a tragic end for the young lady. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.’
Someone else said: ‘This is another tragic attack and so beyond distressing for all family and friends and also to the responders. Any dog can bite, it’s the circumstances why.’
A post-mortem examination was due to take place yesterday to confirm the cause of the young woman’s death.
Church Warden David Tregunno from the local church, St Michael’s and All the Angels, opened up the space for prayer and reflection on Sunday afternoon.
He said: ‘We’re obviously thinking and praying for the young lady who has recently died in this very terrible situation.
‘We’re opening the church today between one and three if anyone wants to come in to pray or reflect on the situation. We’ll be thinking of her, and you’d be very welcome to come.’
Essex Police said yesterday: ‘We are now in a position to confirm that Jamie-Lea Biscoe, 19, died from injuries believed to have been suffered as a result of a dog attack.
‘A 37-year-old man from Dunmow, arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death, has now been bailed until July while enquiries continue.
‘The dog, which was a family pet, has been seized, and it is believed to be a Lurcher Cross, but tests are underway to formally establish the precise breed.’
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: ‘Our thoughts remain with all those who knew and loved Jamie-Lea. Her young life has been so tragically cut short.
‘Our detectives are continuing to work around the clock to establish exactly what happened, and specialist officers are continuing to support Jamie-Lea’s family.
‘This is unimaginable for her loved ones and friends, and, as such, I would ask people to respect their grief and privacy at this extremely difficult time.
‘Our officers remain at the scene, and anyone with concerns or information can speak with them there or contact us in the usual way.’
