A 28-year-old dog walker, Natasha Johnston, was tragically killed after being mauled by a pack of eight dogs she was caring for, including her own banned bullterrier. The attack occurred near Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey, on January 12, 2023, when Johnston reportedly lost control of the animals.
Details of the Incident
Johnston was found with severe bite injuries to her torso, neck, and arms, according to a post-mortem report. The injuries, which included the perforation of her left jugular vein, caused fatal shock and haemorrhage. Despite the efforts of a passerby, Ben Kershaw, who administered CPR, as well as police officers and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at 3:29 pm that day.
Senior Coroner Richard Travers, who led the inquest, announced plans to prepare a Prevention of Future Deaths Report for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. The report will highlight the need for regulations around the number and weight of dogs that can be walked by a single person in public places. Mr. Travers noted, “There are no national restrictions or regulations regarding the number and weight of dogs that can be walked in a public place.”
Witness Accounts
Several witnesses reported seeing Johnston prior to the attack. Among them was Andrew Coutts, who saw Johnston walking the dogs before hearing a commotion involving barking dogs and shouting. Horse riders Michelle Clarke and Susan Dove also encountered the out-of-control dogs. One of their horses became spooked, resulting in Ms. Dove falling off.
Another witness, Sam Ogden, described how one of the dogs approached and bit her, causing searing pain. Johnston reportedly attempted to control the dog but struggled to regain command of the pack.
Ben Kershaw, who discovered Johnston’s body, described the chaotic scene with dogs roaming off-lead and some covered in blood. He performed CPR under emergency operator instructions but was unable to save her.
Coroner’s Findings and Implications
Coroner Richard Travers concluded that Johnston was experienced with the dogs she walked and had taken them out on multiple occasions without prior issues. However, he noted that on this day, she had lost control of the animals, leading to the fatal attack. The inquest did not determine which specific dog was responsible for Johnston’s death.
The coroner emphasised that while Tandridge Council, the authority covering the area, limits professional dog walkers to a maximum of six dogs, no national regulation enforces such limits. He highlighted the need for stricter policies to prevent such tragedies.
Legal and Policy Context
The council policy in Tandridge requires professional dog walkers to have a license if walking dogs on council-owned land, with a limit of six dogs per walker. Walkers must also have third-party liability insurance. Johnston was not a member of any professional association or council-regulated dog-walking scheme.
Aftermath
Two of Johnston’s dogs, including a banned bull terrier, were destroyed following the incident, while the other six dogs have since been returned to their owners. Johnston’s brother, Jordan, confirmed that she was familiar with the animals and had walked the same group numerous times without incident.
The tragic incident has prompted calls for stricter regulations on professional dog walking, with local authorities and animal welfare organizations urging the government to introduce national rules and ensure dog walkers are appropriately trained and certified.
For now, the coroner’s report and recommendations to the Home Secretary aim to prevent such incidents in the future and provide more robust guidelines for professional dog walkers across the country.
