A GRAN died after being mauled by a 12-stone bulldog in a "series of attacks" by the family pet, an inquest has heard.

       Elizabeth Walton, 72, was set upon by the American bulldog while babysitting her granddaughter despite being "familiar" with the animal.

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       Gran Ray Walton died three weeks have suffering terrible injuries in the dog attack 3

       Ray Walton was baby-sitting for her daughter Leah Joshua and son-in-law Ryan when she was attacked

       Mrs Walton - known as Ray - suffered bite wounds to her legs and bum when the large dog attacked and had to have an arm amputated following the mauling.

       An inquest heard she died three weeks later in hospital having developed sepsis and pneumonia.

       Former ferry worker shop assistant Mrs Walton was looking after her youngest granddaughter during the school holidays when the animal attacks.

       Coroners officer Lisa Jenkins said Mrs Walton had been alone in the house while her granddaughter went outside to play.

       She was found in the utility room of her daughter Leah's house in Goodwick, Pembs, Wales, laying on the floor and covered in "a large amount of blood".

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       Ms Jenkins said Leah's partner Ryan Joshua came home to find a wooden divide that kept dogs out of the house was not in place.

       She said: "It was clear to him one of the dogs had attacked."

       Police confirmed the animal was an American bulldog which was not a banned breed.

       The pet, called Rex, was destroyed following the attack.

       Mr Joshua tried to keep his mother-in-law warm as raised the alarm.

       Miss Jenkins said: "She was airlifted to Moriston Hospital in Swansea received treatment for extreme injuries to her legs and buttocks."

       Ms Jenkins said medics were forced to amputate one of Mrs Walton's arms following the attack on August 10 last year.

       The hearing at Haverfordwest County Hall was told she never regained consciousness and died in the early hours of September 1 having contracted sceptic shock and pneumonia.

       The inquest heard her medical cause of death was a heart attack and ventilator induced pneumonia, sceptic shock and fatal dog bite injuries.

       'ACCIDENTAL DEATH' VERDICT

       Giving a conclusion of accidental death, coroner Paul Bennet said: "This is one of those tragic situations where a dog has launched a series of attacks.

       "The injuries resulted in her being hospitalised and the development of sceptic shock and ventilator-induced pneumonia.

       "The dog attack and bites seem wholly logical to be as a result of an unintended act of the dog.

       "The sad fact is that for whatever reason Mrs Walton was the victim of this incident. And in that sense of the word, has been subjected to an accident."

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       Ray was found in the utility room of her daughter's home in Goodwick, West Wales Credit: iSKANDU Agency