A mother-of-five died one day after being bitten on the arm by her pet dog, an inquest has heard.

Michelle Hempstead, 34, was attacked by the animal in Southend, Essex.

Police have not disclosed the breed of the dog, but previously said it had been assessed as “not a banned breed”.

An inquest, opened and adjourned in Chelmsford on Thursday, heard police found Ms Hempstead with a “laceration to her upper limb” on 29 July this year.

She was taken to Southend Hospital and then transferred to the Royal London Hospital, where she died on 30 July, court co-ordinator Andy Flack said.

A post-mortem examination recorded that Ms Hampstead sustained a “dog bite wound to [her] left upper arm”, he added.

A transection (a cut) of the left axillary artery, a main artery of the arm, also contributed to her death, alongside hypovolemic shock – where a severe loss of blood or other fluids prevents the heart from pumping enough blood – and multi-organ failure.

Lincoln Brookes, senior coroner for Essex, suspended the inquest pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.

He said he would review the suspension after three months and asked for his “deepest condolences” to be shared with the family.

More from Sky News:
UK prepares for mpox cases
Man charged over prison officer stabbing

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

‘The kindest soul’

A GoFundMe page aiming to raise £8,000 for Ms Hemsptead’s funeral has been launched and describes her as the “kindest soul”.

Her friend, who said she is speaking on behalf of family and friends, wrote: “We are absolutely heartbroken by her absence and we’d like to do her justice by coming together as a community at this unfortunate time.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

“[Michelle] was made of steel, just an incredibly strong [and] resilient woman who everyone adored,” wrote organiser Liah Smith.

“Coming together for her would outline just how special she was.”

Essex Police previously said officers were called to an address in Southend, at 11.30pm on 29 July.

Two dogs were seized from the address, but just one was believed to have been involved in the incident, they added.

Related posts:

Girl, aged six, dies after being hit by car while walking with her father Premier League star arrested on suspicion of child sex offences US Capitol riot shows what happens when you ‘whip up a mob’, Speaker warns after MP’s murder Ex-England cricketer Ebony Rainford-Brent shares image of racist hate letter Flood barriers breached and ‘danger to life’ warnings issued as bad weather continues ‘We were so happy’: Friends describe moment ‘gorgeous’ Elle Edwards was shot dead Social housing managers will require qualifications in bid to ‘drive up standards’ after two-year-old’s death UK and EU enter ‘final talks’ on Northern Ireland post-Brexit deal – how the day will unfold Man accused of Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murder trying to ‘pull the wool over juror’s eyes’ COVID deaths could have been reduced with earlier UK lockdown, scientist tells inquiry King celebrates 75th birthday by launching new food charity initiative Wales to ban politicians from lying