Village church opens doors after dog attack death

17 hours ago

Jodie Halfordand

Stuart Woodward,in Leaden Roding

News image — Jamie-Lea Biscoe died after being attacked by a dog in Leaden Roding, Essex, on Friday

Facebook A head and shoulders image of a smiling woman sitting in the front seat of car. She has long brown hair and is wearing black framed spectacles and a black beanie. Her face is turned towards the camera, with the side window behind her. — Jamie-Lea Biscoe died after being attacked by a dog in Leaden Roding, Essex, on Friday

A priest has said villagers living close to where a young woman died after a dog attack are welcome to visit his church to "find refuge and peace".

Jamie-Lea Biscoe, 19, died after the incident at a house in Leaden Roding, near Great Dunmow, Essex, on Friday night.

Essex Police seized the dog, believed to be a Lurcher, but tests were being carried out to establish the precise breed.

The Reverend Tim Goodbody, associate priest in the Rodings, Easters and Great Canfield, said St Michael & All Angels church was open to all to process the "collective experience" of Jamie-Lea's death.

"I think because we are a small community here in Leaden Roding, it will have affected most people when they've heard about it," he said.

Stuart Woodward/BBC The Reverend Tim Goodbody, a man with short fair hair and a white and ginger beard, wears a black suit with a dog collar. His glasses are black framed and round. A church is out of focus behind him. — The Reverend Tim Goodbody, associate priest in the Rodings, Easters and Great Canfield, said the local church was open for reflection

"Even if they weren't aware of the family or their circumstances, this sort of thing does ripple through a village, so it's a collective experience," added the reverend.

"I hope that the community can see our building here at St Michael's as somewhere where they can find refuge and peace and quiet and an opportunity to reflect and pray and maybe light a candle."

Essex Police said officers were called at 22:45 BST on Friday and found a woman with serious injuries.

Despite "the best efforts of emergency services", she was pronounced dead at the scene, the force said. The results of a post-mortem examination, which was due to take place on Sunday, are yet to be released.

Stuart Woodward/BBC A church building sits on grass with trees framing either side. The church has a red tiled roof and stonework walls. — St Michael & All Angels in Leaden Roding was "somewhere where [people] can find refuge", Goodbody said

St Michael's had been open for prayer and reflection on Sunday and would be available for the community in the coming week, Goodbody said.

"The church belongs to everybody in the village, and it is a peaceful place and a place to find comfort, and to be alone with one's thoughts with God."

A man, 37, from Dunmow, was arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death and has since been released on bail.

Police are still appealing for anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or any other footage to get in touch, quoting incident 1419 of 10 April.

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