A RETIRED vet found dead in his garden had been bitten by seven dogs — including his own pet.
Antony Harrington was attacked by the pack, said to include several large Bernese mountain dogs and his black Russian terrier.
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The widower, 77, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was declared dead at the scene.
Police are trying to establish whether the bites were the cause of death or if he was dead when attacked.
A source said: “Tony always loved animals and had a huge black terrier of his own.
“The dogs, which police seized, included his own pet and six which were owned by a friend living with Tony at the time.
“What happened is horrific — no one knows why the dogs attacked him.
“He was found in the garden and bits of his clothes had been scattered around the grass.
“His family is disturbed and hopes the investigation can help them understand what happened.”
A woman, 75, has been arrested on suspicion of owning a dog dangerously out of control and bailed.
Warwickshire Police told The Sun: “Inquiries are ongoing and it is yet to be determined whether the bites caused the death, or the man had died before being bitten.”
Dad-of-three Tony, ran a veterinary surgeon in Birmingham with late wife Louise from 1980 until they both retired.
He was also a steam locomotive fan and helped to restore a 1914 engine.
He died in Little Packington, Warks, in November.
His funeral was held in Coleshill last month.
