Retired vet found dead in his garden after being attacked by seven dogs including his OWN pet

Several large Bernese mountain dogs were also involved in the attack at his home in Little Packington, Warwickshire.

The father-of-three suffered a cardiac arrest during the attack and was later declared dead at the scene.

Tony Harrington died during a dog attack in November last year

TONY HARRINGTON/FACEBOOK

Detectives investigating the case have been trying to ascertain whether the bites led to his death or if he was attacked after dying.

Harrington’s clothes were reportedly found scattered around the garden, with sources suggesting the attack was incredibly vicious.

The family were left “distraught” by following the fatal attack.

Harrington, who ran a veterinary surgery in Birmingham’s Hodge Hill called The Lodge with his late wife Louise from 1980 until they both retired, was said to have “always loved animals” but the six dogs were seized by police.

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Several large Bernese mountain dogs were also involved in the attack

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Some of the canines were owned by a friend living at his home at the time.

However, why the dogs attacked Harrington remains unknown five months on from the incident on November 25 last year.

A source told The Sun: “Tony always loved animals and had a huge black terrier of his own.

“He was found in the garden and bits of his clothes had been scattered around the grass.

Detectives investigating the case have been trying to ascertain whether the bites led to his death or if he was attacked after dying

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“His family are distraught and hope the investigation can help them understand what happened.”

A 75-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of owning a dog dangerously out of control.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police, which is leading the investigation, said: “Enquiries are ongoing and it is yet to be determined whether the bites caused the death, or the man had died prior to being bitten.”

Dog attacks have witnessed a steady increase in recent years, with police recording more than 80 incidents a day.