Dire safety alert after Bilston woman dies in third fatal dog attack in one week

Dire safety alert after Bilston woman dies in third fatal dog attack in one weekResidents in Bilston, West Midlands, have expressed sadness and concern after the woman, named locally as 78-year-old Carol Hall, passed away on Wednesday nightNewsLucy Thornton News Reporter12:15, 17 Apr 2026View 5 ImagesA widow was killed in the third fatal dog attack in a week(Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)A dire warning has been issued to pet owners following the third fatal dog attack in the UK in just one week.It comes after the death of a widow, who was attacked by two dogs in her flat near Wolverhampton, West Midlands, on Wednesday night. The woman was named locally as Carol Hall, 78, a retired lock factory worker, was mauled by two dogs in her Wolverhampton flat. Her daughter was heard screaming ‘my mum’s been killed’. Police said the pensioner was pronounced dead at the scene.Now the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has conceded dog bite injuries are "clearly rising" and pet owners must follow key advice when handling and training their pets.In the Wolverhampton case, a 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury resulting in death.View 5 ImagesThe widow died at her own home after the horror in Bilston, West Midlands(Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)READ MORE: Massive law change on May 1 2026 axes 'no-fault' evictionsREAD MORE: Lorraine and Loose Women ITV return dates 'confirmed' after weeks off airDeaths from dog bites increased more than 200 per cent in a year, according to a new report on accidental deaths and hospital admissions.Matilda Smith, Research Manager at RoSPA, said: “Dog bite injuries are clearly rising, and that’s a real concern. The honest answer is that we don’t yet fully understand why this increase is happening. Many reports point to a jump in dog ownership during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are likely to be several factors at...