Suspected XL Bully dogs that mauled grandmother to death owned by dog breeding drill rapper

She said: “This is a very distressing time for our family. If someone knocked on your door at night to say that your mum had been mauled to death, would you believe them?”

“There could have been two victims, my nephew has not only lost his mum and grandmother but he had to witness all this violence. He could have been killed as well.”

The victim’s other daughter, Sonia Martin, told the BBC her mother had previously expressed concerns about the “dangerous and aggressive dogs”.

“There were adult XL bully dogs in the property, and my mum had raised concerns to the owners about them being dangerous and quite aggressive.”

She said she had been informed that the puppies had started fighting and her mother had been told by the dogs’ owner to “put a broom in among them, to distract them”.

She said: “That’s when she was attacked.”

Chief Supt Glen Pavelin, from Essex Police, said officers arrived within “minutes” of reports of the attack, but that “sadly” the 68-year-old victim died at the scene.

He said that although the victim has not been formally identified, the force has confirmed it is Mrs Martin.

“I want to express my condolences to her family and friends,” he said.

He added: “We believe Esther has been attacked by two dogs inside the house.

“When Essex Police officers entered the house, their priority was – as always – to keep their community safe. Their unflinching bravery and professionalism ensure that there is no ongoing threat to the people of Essex.

“Both dogs were destroyed inside the house. I would like to thank local people who tried to get into the house to help Esther – you should be proud.”

He said Mrs Martin and the arrested man were “of the same family” and added: “The breed of the dogs cannot be confirmed but we are working with experts to identify the breed of the dogs.”