Mother of Five Dies After Dog Bite in Essex Home Incident

A tragic incident occurred in Essex, England, on July 30, 2024, when a mother of five, Michelle Hempstead, died after being bitten by her dog during a scuffle over food. The incident was revealed during an inquest hearing on Monday, where Lincoln Brookes, the senior coroner for Essex, provided details about the circumstances leading to her untimely death.

According to coroner Brookes, Hempstead suffered a fatal injury from a single bite that severed an artery in her arm. He emphasized that the bite was not malicious but occurred accidentally while Hempstead was intervening in a brief altercation between her two dogs over chicken nuggets. “The bite was not malicious and occurred when she was caught during a brief fight between her two over food,” Brookes stated.

The incident took place at Hempstead’s home, where she had brought home the chicken nuggets she occasionally shared with her pets: a Pomeranian named Pom and a rottweiler-mastiff mix named Trigg. Her boyfriend, Samuel West, who witnessed the event, described the scenario leading up to the bite. He noted that Hempstead liked to toss the nuggets into the air, creating a competitive atmosphere between the dogs.

West explained that while Pom would attempt to get the food first, Trigg, known for being a “gentle giant,” had a powerful bite. “Trigg’s done this thing where he chomps his mouth,” West said, adding that it appeared as though Trigg was not trying to grab but rather was reacting instinctively when the nugget was thrown. “It looked like to me it wasn’t a grab. He just went to do a chomping thing and caught her under the arm,” he recalled.

The situation escalated quickly, leading to Hempstead’s tragic passing early the following morning. West was initially arrested on suspicion of involvement but was released soon after, as the coroner classified the incident as an accident.

The hearing also revealed that Hempstead’s death came just weeks after her family had experienced another devastating loss—the death of one of her daughters. “The double tragedy about this is that she and the rest of her family suffered a terrible bereavement only a few weeks beforehand,” Brookes noted, highlighting the profound grief Hempstead’s family was already enduring.

As for the dogs involved, authorities have stated that Trigg and Pom have been “disclaimed for destruction,” raising questions about their future following this tragic incident. The case underscores the unpredictable nature of pet interactions, especially in high-stress situations involving food.

This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with dog ownership, particularly in households with children and multiple pets. The community is left mourning the loss of a devoted mother whose life was cut short in a tragic accident.