Preston dog attack victim 'was having seizure' Published duration 2 January 2016

image copyright Lancashire Police image caption Liam Hewitson's family said he was a "happy lad who was always smiling"

A man who died after being attacked by his own dog was having an epileptic seizure when he was hurt by the animal, police said.

Liam Hewitson, 22, was attacked by his male pit bull-cross called Trigger in his Preston home on Friday and sustained injuries to his face and neck.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene but later died.

The dog, which was not a banned breed, has been put down.

'Beautiful personality'

Mr Hewitson's family said he was "a happy lad who was always smiling and had lots of friends".

A family statement read: "He had a beautiful personality and he will be missed by his dad Phil, girlfriend Jess and sisters Melissa and Aleisha and brother Cordell."

Mr Hewitson had owned Trigger since birth. The dog was five or six years old, police said.

Lancashire Police said they were treating the incident, which happened on Dundonald Street at around 15:45 GMT, as a tragic accident and there would be no criminal investigation.

Bunches of flowers have been left at the scene and mourners took part in a candlelit vigil on Friday night.

image copyright Lauren Brown/PA Wire image caption Floral tributes and candles were left at the house in Dundonald Street

Paramedics were said to have been outside the house for about three hours.

'Massive loss'

Neighbour Misbah Saeed, 40, said: "He was very pleasant. I would see him with the dog often, it was fine, I'd walked past it myself so many times. I'm surprised. I'm just shocked, to me the dog seemed okay.

"He was one of the most polite, caring gentlemen, an absolute gentleman. It's a massive loss, I don't think the street will be the same again."

image copyright Lauren Brown/PA Wire image caption Family and friends took part in a candlelit vigil

image copyright Lauren Brown/PA Wire image caption Neighbours said they were shocked by what had happened

Related Topics Lancashire Constabulary

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