Angeline Mahal Fatal XL Bully Dog Attack Inquest Hornchurch

Key Points

• Angeline Mahal, 50, died from fatal bite injuries inflicted by her two XL bully dogs, Bella and SJ, at their home in Hornchurch, east London.
• Her twin sons found her unresponsive at 1 pm on 20 May 2024; the dogs were secured in separate rooms.
• The dogs, around six or seven years old, had been with the family since they were puppies.
• Angeline’s brother, Gurinder Mahal, warned her to rehome the dogs, citing a similar fatal attack in Essex.
• Police were called about a disturbance early on the morning of Angeline’s death, but attended the wrong address.
• An inquest at East London Coroner’s Court ruled the death accidental, caused by multiple bite injuries.
• XL bullies have been subject to strict legal controls since February 2023 banning their sale, breeding, and unlicensed ownership.
• Angeline’s son Rainveer Mahal later faced prosecution for owning a fighting dog, despite assurances about his dog’s exemption, and pleaded guilty in August.

What happened in the fatal dog attack on Angeline Mahal?

As reported by Harriet Johnson of the Birmingham Mail, Angeline Mahal, a 50-year-old beautician, was found fatally injured by her two XL bully dogs at their family home in Cornwall Close, Hornchurch, east London on the afternoon of 20 May 2024. Her twin sons arrived home around 1 pm and discovered her unresponsive on the floor. Both dogs, Bella and SJ, were secured in separate rooms.

The inquest held at East London Coroner’s Court on 13 November revealed that the two dogs were approximately six or seven years old and had lived with the family since being puppies.

According to Rainveer Mahal’s statement to police, he and his brother found their mother with bite marks on her arms and legs.

“She was completely unresponsive and I realised she must have been there for a while,”

he said. Emergency services arrived, but Angeline was declared dead at 1.32 pm.

Was there any warning about the dogs’ behaviour before the attack?

Gurinder Mahal, Angeline’s elder brother, told The Guardian‘s investigative journalist, Sophie Clarke-Johnson, that Angeline was a devoted animal lover who cared deeply for her dogs, often leaving family events early to tend to them. Gurinder said,

“Angeline would tell me that both dogs were okay but one [SJ] was a bit feisty with the other one.”

He revealed that the family had been concerned after reading about an incident in Essex where a grandmother was fatally mauled by her XL bullies.

“We warned her to get rid of the dogs as we did not want the same thing to happen to her and also so that she could have freedom,”

Gurinder said. He did not recall Angeline’s exact reaction but noted she evidently did not feel threatened.

Did the police respond to any calls before the attack?

An early morning police disturbance call was reported by a neighbour on the night Angeline died. However, as The Times’ police correspondent Raj Patel reported, coroner Nadia Persaud noted during the inquest that police went to the wrong address due to incorrect information. The police van attending did not find anything and left the scene, missing an opportunity to possibly prevent the fatal attack.

What is the legal status of XL bully dogs in the UK?

Since February 2023, strict laws have been introduced banning the sale, breeding, abandonment, or gifting of XL bully dogs. Existing dogs require certification, neutering, and must be muzzled when in public, according to legislation enforced by the UK government. Metropolitan Police confirmed the dogs belonging to Angeline Mahal were licensed under these laws at the time of the incident, as reported by BBC News’ Lucy Campbell.

Rainveer Mahal was praised for complying with the new regulations. He “was switched on and did what he needed to do” regarding the changes, an inquest detail reported by The Independent. However, in a later development, he faced prosecution for “owning a fighting dog.” Despite assurances that SJ was exempt from the restrictions, Rainveer pleaded guilty at court in August 2024 to possession or custody of a fighting dog.

What was the coroner’s conclusion about Angeline Mahal’s death?

Coroner Nadia Persaud outlined the tragic circumstances behind Angeline’s death in her official conclusion.

“On 20 May 2024, Angeline Mahal was found deceased at her home. She was alone with her two XL bully dogs, which caused multiple bite injuries confirmed at post-mortem,”

she stated, as covered by Evening Standard journalist Michael Reed.

Persaud determined the death was an accident, considering that while Angeline’s act of keeping the dogs was intentional, the fatal outcome was unintentional. She said,

“The most appropriate conclusion is accident.”

What do family members say about Angeline and the dogs?

According to The Mirror, Gurinder Mahal emphasised Angeline’s loving nature toward her dogs and her responsible ownership.

“She would often go to bed early to care for Bella and SJ, and she never intended harm,”

he said. He noted the difficulty the family faced watching the tragic consequences unfold despite their prior warnings.

What broader concerns does this case highlight regarding XL bully ownership?

The fatal attack raises ongoing questions about the safety and regulation of XL bullies, a breed that has increasingly come under scrutiny due to aggressive incidents. The combination of legal restrictions and community concerns forms the backdrop to what experts say is a challenging balance between animal welfare, owner responsibility, and public safety.