Shropshire landlady died after faithful dog’s bite

A pub landlady whose dog was given a bravery award for saving her from a fire died because she refused to see a doctor after her beloved pet bit her on the hand, an inquest heard

Lesley Banks, landlady at the Three Horseshoes pub, in Wheathill, near Bridgnorth, died on August 16 last year after 10-year-old Rottweiler Brannigan bit her.

Miss Banks, 51, did not seek medical treatment because she feared the dog would be put down.

Brannigan was put forward for a bravery award after he alerted Miss Banks to a fire at her pub in October 2009.

The blaze broke out in the living quarters but Brannigan managed to wake Miss Banks by tugging on her arm as the flat filled with smoke.

A friend of Miss Banks said yesterday: “Brannigan meant everything to Lesley.

“He was hailed a hero after he saved Lesley from a fire at her pub. If he hadn’t woken her up she would almost certainly have died, it’s so tragic she died after he bit her.

“He was a big gentle giant, he never meant any harm and Lesley would never hear a word against him. She didn’t see a doctor because she thought if it came out that Brannigan bit her the authorities would either take him away or he would be put to sleep.”

Speaking at the time of the fire, Miss Banks said: “I am so grateful to Brannigan. He probably saved my life.

“I was asleep and the dog jumped on my bed. He began to pull at my arm which normally means something is wrong.”

The inquest heard that after being bitten on August 14 last year, Miss Banks treated the wound with bleach and anti-septic wipes and it appeared to be healing. But the next day she became seriously ill with diarrhoea and vomiting after the wound became infected and she developed septicaemia.

Deputy Herefordshire Coroner Roland Wooderson heard that Miss Banks finally agreed to see a doctor when she had just “hours to live” after a friend became concerned for her.

Brannigan bit her on the right hand as she put him into the back of her car following a pheasant shoot in Craswall, Herefordshire, on August 14 last year.

Mr Wooderson recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “Dog owners should be aware of the possible outcomes from bites.

“Miss Banks had been bitten by her dog before with no lasting ill effects.”

Brannigan has since been put down.