Two dogs who killed a great-grandmother during a sustained attack in her back garden have been “humanely destroyed”.

Lucille Downer, 85, died after being attacked by the animals on Friday in Rowley Regis.

A statement from West Midlands Police said the owner of the animals, who has been arrested over the attack, transferred possession of the canines to the force, who then had them put down.

The statement said: “The ownership of the dogs was voluntarily transferred to police.

“Following specialist advice it was established the dogs could never be rehomed due to the violent act and should be humanely destroyed.

“This has happened although further analysis will take place to determine what breed they were.”

Following the attack, the dogs were tranquilised and taken to nearby kennels.

The 43-year-old owner was arrested on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing death, and has since been bailed.

West Midlands Police said that the dogs managed to get into Ms Downer’s garden through a hole in an adjacent property’s fence. The former care home worker suffered multiple injuries.

A statement from Mrs Downey’s family said: “Lucille was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who spent her working years as a cook at Bromford House Care Home in West Bromwich.

“Lucille was born in Jamaica and emigrated to the UK in her early 20s. Since arriving in the UK, Rowley Regis has always been her home and her family will miss her dearly.”

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