Woman mauled to death

Nov 29 2007 by Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

A DEVASTATED man has told how his North-East wife died in his arms after being mauled by a pack of wild street dogs in Bulgaria.

Margaret Ann Gordon, originally from Wallsend in North Tyneside, was walking her pet alsatian near her home in south-eastern Bulgaria when she was attacked by a pack of about eight dogs.

The 56-year-old was in a field when the animals set upon her. Local residents and children rushed to Mrs Gordon’s aid after hearing her screams, but they were also set up on by the wild dogs.

A shepherd finally managed to drive the snarling beasts away, but Mrs Gordon died in her husband Jim’s arms from loss of blood before an ambulance arrived.

Mr Gordon said: “These children knocked and said Margaret was badly hurt after being bitten by some strays.

“I ran out of the house and saw a crowd of people around her.

“It was terrible, she had just lost so much blood. I called the ambulance, but there was nothing that could be done – she had lost too much blood. She died there and then.”

The couple had moved to the village of Nedyalsko, in the region of Yambol, about two years ago.

Stray dogs are a common problem in Bulgaria and many locals routinely walk around with a stick to chase away those who come too close.

Normally they are relatively placid creatures on the lookout for food and there is now speculation the pack had escaped from a local factory where they had been fed on raw meat to make them more aggressive.

Pensioner Malik Markovy who witnessed the savage attack, said: “It was the most terrible thing I have ever seen.

“She was walking along one minute and the next these big, slavering dogs with jaws flashing rows of teeth were upon her.

“She went down with a scream and then they were on her. I threw a stone, but it did no good. The poor woman was totally unrecognisable.”

Vania Tododrova, a neighbour in the village, said: “She was a good, kind, calm person, always helpful and smiling.”

Katya Niagolva of the local police said a full investigation was now under way and a hunt was on for the dogs.

She added: “It is a horrible story. I don’t think anything like this has ever happened in the country. It’s very shocking and terrifying indeed.”

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We have confirmation that a British woman called Margaret Ann Gordon, has been killed in Bulgaria.

“Her passport says that she was born in Wallsend. Next of kin are aware.”