The scene at a flat in Wood Green where Mario Perivoitos was mauled to death (Picture: SWNS)

A Staffie which mauled its owner to death shortly after he’d been filmed by the BBC had eaten crack cocaine, an inquest heard.

The dog, called Major, was ‘eight times the drug drive limit’ to give a human equivalent, the hearing was told.

He latched onto owner Mario Perivoitos’s face and neck moments after he had taken part in a BBC documentary.

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Mario, 41, had been filming for the BBC programme Drugs Map Britain when he fell into an epileptic fit on his bed and was attacked.


Nicholas Carmichael, an expert in veterinary toxicology, revealed that samples of cocaine and morphine had been discovered in Major’s urine.

Mario Perivoitos, 41, was killed by his dog (Picture: SWNS)

‘It is very likely that this dog had consumed drugs, probably eaten them,’ he said.



‘It is almost impossible to say whether that will make the dog attack but it does make them respond abnormally.

Two boys under 16 arrested after 'being caught sexually assaulting woman'’They become very excited and agitated, it is highly more likely that this attack happened because this dog had taken cocaine.

‘In my experience with Staffordshire Bull Terriers if they think they are in a dominant position its response must have been to attack.

‘The dog was eight times the drug drive limit.

‘The dog had clearly taken it and, whether it had eaten it or taken it in by smoke, it is likely to have been a factor in the dog’s behaviour.’

Paramedics tried to help him at the scene (Picture: SWNS)

‘In our opinion the dogs behaviour was as a result of the intoxication of cocaine.’

Pathologist Dr Julie Higgins said: ‘The body included injuries to the neck and face with extensive haemorrhaging and the larynx was crushed.’

Senior Coroner Andrew Walker recorded a conclusion of death as a consequence of injuries received from a dog.

In his conclusion, he said: ‘Mr Perivoitos was taking part in a documentary about illegal drugs, having returned to his home at 10.17pm consumed a quantity of cocaine before becoming unwell.

‘It is likely that he was experiencing an epileptic shock which caused the dog to nip his face before biting his neck.

The flats where Mario Perivoitos was attacked and killed by his own Staffordshire bull terrier (Picture: SWNS)

‘The film crew telephoned an ambulance whilst attempting to get the dog off Mr Perivoitos.

‘It is likely that the dog had consumed cocaine by eating it and it is likely that this was an additional factor in the dog’s behaviour.

‘Mr Perivoitos suffered serious injuries and was taken to a major trauma hospital and died shortly after midnight.’

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He added: ‘I would like to thank the witness personally for their actions at the scene and that of the colleague who was there helping and following advice from the London Ambulance Service, it is to be commended.’

The officer in the case detective chief inspector Luke Marks, who brought no criminal charges in the case, told the court that Major was due to be destroyed.

He said: ‘The dog was taken to a secure police storage facility, it was due to be destroyed but I do not know if it has been.’