Tear-filled father tells of moment he found his daughter, 19, dead at home ‘after family dog attacked her’
The father of the young man who died in a dog attack talked about the terrible moment he learned that his daughter was found dead at home.
Jack Biscoe, 37, found his 19-year-old daughter Jamie-Lea Biscoe collapsed in her bedroom around 10.45pm on Friday.
Police rushed to the scene in the village of Leaden Roding, Essex, but the teenager was pronounced dead after suffering a bite wound to his neck.
A seven-year-old blue merle lurcher named Shy was seized by police along with her puppies following the tragic death of Ms Biscoe.
His tearful father described the ‘horror and devastation’ his death had caused him, although he described the family pet as the ‘softest dog’ and his daughter’s ‘best friend’.
Mr Biscoe, who had part of his ear bitten off by Shy after trying to save his daughter’s life by performing CPR, said: Sun: ‘The horror and destruction he caused me is not worth witnessing. Treat them like dogs, give them their beds, be careful.’
He added: ‘I thought I could trust that dog with my life and it took my daughter’s life.’
The 37-year-old also warned families ‘how quickly a dog can take a life’ and added that dangerous dogs ‘are not breed specific’.
Picture: Jack Biscoe, 37, pictured with his daughter Jamie-Lea, 19, who died from a bite wound to her neck when the family dog attacked her at home
Mr Biscoe was arrested on suspicion of being responsible for a dog that went dangerously out of control and caused fatal injuries, and was subsequently released on bail on Saturday night.
She found her daughter unconscious between her bed and her bedside table after returning home from KFC with her partner Steven Daniels, 43, on Friday evening.
Shy attacked him as he tried to save his teenage child, leaving the father-of-one with puncture wounds on his arms and injuries to his ear that required reconstructive surgery.
He described his daughter as his ‘best friend’, adding that her death was ‘so painful’.
‘I don’t know how to move forward without that child in my life. “He was my only child,” he said.
Horse trainer Mr Biscoe bought Shy when he was seven weeks old. Her 18-month-old puppies Bella and Mouse were downstairs at the time of the attack.
It reads: ‘On Friday 10 April Jamie was tragically attacked and killed by his pet dog at his home.
Police rushed to the scene near the town of Dunmow but unfortunately the woman was pronounced dead. A squad car is seen at the scene
‘He had been the family pet for seven years and had never shown any signs of aggression before this sadly tragic incident.
‘Jamie-Lea was such a kind and beautiful young adult and would do anything for anyone.
‘He loved life and his family, but most of all he adored his father Jack. ‘We are trying to raise money to cover funeral costs so we can send him off in the best way possible.’
Relatives paid tribute to Miss Biscoe on social media, with a loved one commenting: ‘Dear Jamie-Lea tore our daughter apart.’
Another, Tina Wells, described the dog as a ‘stupid seven-year-old’ and added that it was a ‘family pet’.
Mrs Wells said: ‘He slept in my grandson’s bed. Devastating.”
Another person commented: ‘What a tragic end for the young lady. ‘I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.’
Another said: ‘This is another tragic attack and is beyond heartbreaking for all the family, friends and also those who responded. ‘Any dog can bite, it’s because of the circumstances.’
An autopsy will be performed on Sunday to determine the cause of death of the young woman.
Churchwarden David Tregunno from local church St Michael’s and All the Angels opened space for prayer and reflection on Sunday afternoon.
He said: ‘We are clearly thinking and praying for the young lady who died recently in this very horrific situation.
‘If anyone wants to pray or think about the situation, we are opening the church between one and three o’clock today. We’ll be thinking about it and we’d love you to come too.’
Essex Police said on Sunday: ‘We are now able to confirm that Jamie-Lea Biscoe, 19, died from injuries believed to have been sustained as a result of a dog attack.
‘A 37-year-old man from Dunmow, who was arrested on suspicion of taking responsibility for a dog that got dangerously out of control and caused fatal injuries, has been released on bail until July while investigations continue.
‘The dog, which was the family pet, was confiscated and is believed to be a Lurcher Cross, but tests are being formally carried out to determine the exact breed.’
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Jamie-Lea. His young life was cut so tragically short.
‘Our detectives continue to work around the clock to establish exactly what happened and specialist police officers continue to support Jamie-Lea’s family.
‘This is unimaginable for his loved ones and friends and so I would ask people to respect their grief and privacy at this extremely difficult time.
‘Our officers will remain at the scene and anyone with concerns or information can speak to them there or contact us through normal means.’
