Irene Collins died four days after incident at her home in Middlesbrough in 2014

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A 73-year-old woman died after being bitten by a police dog while officers searched her garden for a suspected drug dealer, an inquest has heard.

Irene Collins, who had lung cancer and emphysema, was attacked by the German shepherd while Cleveland police were at her home in Middlesbrough on 16 July 2014.

An inquest jury at Teesside coroner’s court heard on Monday that Collins was bitten more than once by the dog, called Dano, and died four days later at James Cook University hospital in the town.

Mark Egan, a Home Office pathologist, found at the time that Collins would not have died if she had not been bitten by the dog.

Opening the five-day hearing, Teesside’s assistant coroner Karin Welch said: “Irene Collins had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012. Among other complaints she also suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as COPD or emphysema.

“On 16 July 2014, officers from Cleveland police received information regarding a male suspect involved in a drug transaction. It was believed the suspect may be in a garden at the rear of Penrith Road.

“In the course of the search, a dog handler, PC [Mark] Baines, and his police dog Dano were brought in. Irene Collins gave permission for her garden to be searched and remained inside her home.

“You will hear that Dano gained access to Irene Collins’s home and bit her on more than one occasion. Police officers responded quickly and gave first aid. She was taken to James Cook University hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she died on 20 July 2014.”

The pathologist recorded the cause of death as cardiorespiratory failure due to COPD, cancer of the lungs and dog bites. Welch said: “Dr Egan recorded at the time she would not have died when she did – notwithstanding her medical difficulties – had it not been for the dog bites.”

Giving evidence to the inquest, Sgt Neil Yates, an armed response officer who was in charge of the police operation, said he went into the house when he heard the dog’s handler say over his radio that Collins had been bitten.

He described finding the dog savaging her right arm. “PC Baines had Dano by the collar. Dano was wearing two collars and he had him by the larger, more substantial one,” he said.

“Looking down to her right lower leg, she had an injury to her leg. I came to the conclusion the dog had also bitten her there. There was quite a lot of blood on the floor.”

He said he did not think Collins had done anything to antagonise the dog.

The inquest continues.