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Teenager killed in XL bully attack was bitten on face and neck, inquest hears

Claire Hayhurst
Monday 24 March 2025 10:57 GMT
Morgan Dorsett died following the attack in a flat in Bristol
Morgan Dorsett died following the attack in a flat in Bristol (Avon and Somerset Police/PA Wire)

A teenager who died in an XL bully dog attack sustained face and neck injuries, the opening of an inquest has heard.

Morgan Dorsett, from Shrewsbury, died following the attack inside a flat in Bristol on 26 February.

Avon Coroners’ Court heard a post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as dog bites to Miss Dorsett’s neck.

Coroners officer Alexis Camp told the hearing that Miss Dorsett’s death was confirmed at 7.29pm by a paramedic.

Miss Dorsett was identified by her mother, Marie Smith.

Morgan Dorsett, 19, died at the scene in Hartcliffe
Morgan Dorsett, 19, died at the scene in Hartcliffe (PA Media)

Ms Camp said: ā€œMorgan received significant dog bites to her face and neck, resulting in her sad death.ā€

A preliminary cause of death of dog bites to the neck was given to the court.

The dog was put down following the incident.

Statements will be taken from Miss Dorsett’s family, police and paramedics, with a full post-mortem report and toxicology report prepared ahead of the final inquest hearing.

Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, said: ā€œBecause of the pending criminal investigation, I am not going to list this. It will be on a date to be fixed.ā€

A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, who were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and resulting in death, as well as possession of a prohibited breed of dog, have been released on conditional bail.

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