A 19-year-old woman died after being attacked by an XL Bully dog in a flat in Bristol, England, last month. Morgan Dorsett, originally from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, succumbed to severe injuries on February 26, 2025, resulting from bites to her face and neck.
An inquest into Dorsett’s death started on March 24, with Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp providing details of the incident. “Morgan received significant dog bites to her face and neck, resulting in her sad death,” Camp stated during the hearing. Paramedics confirmed her death at the scene in the Hartcliffe area of Bristol.
A post-mortem examination listed dog bites to the neck as the provisional cause of death. Her mother, Marie Smith, identified Dorsett’s body at the mortuary in Flax Bourton, near Bristol.
The attacking dog, a male XL Bully named Prince, was taken and euthanized after the incident. An autopsy confirmed the animal was a member of the banned XL Bully breed, which was outlawed in the UK in 2023 due to its involvement in fatal incidents.
Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, opened the inquest but announced it would not proceed immediately. “Because of the pending criminal investigation, I am not going to list this. It will be on a date to be fixed,” she told the hearing.
Concerns have been raised by Dorsett’s family regarding the police investigation. Statements from the family, police, and paramedics will be gathered, along with a detailed post-mortem and toxicology report, in preparation for the final inquest.
Following the incident, authorities arrested a man and a woman in their twenties on suspicion of owning a banned dog breed and allowing it to be dangerously out of control, leading to a fatal injury. Both have been released on conditional bail as the investigation continues.
Witnesses reported hearing screams during the attack. Some described the dog’s owner exiting her home covered in blood, shouting: “They killed my dog.” The animal was described by neighbors as “big, butch and brown and white” in color.
Avon and Somerset Police neighborhood inspector Terry Murphy addressed the situation at a press conference the day after the incident. “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer,” Murphy stated.
The police have described the incident as “incredibly rare” and stated that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding Dorsett’s death.
In tributes, Dorsett’s stepfather, Matthew Travis, called her a “loveable rogue” with a “cheeky smile” that was endearing. Her mother, Marie Louise, expressed gratitude for the messages of support received during this challenging time.
Friends of Dorsett’s family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral and memorial expenses. The effort has raised over $11,000, surpassing the initial $5,400 goal. Organizers indicated that the funds would alleviate financial burdens, allowing the family to grieve without additional stress.
Sharon Harris, who organized the crowdfunding, described Morgan as “a truly beautiful girl,” noting her strength and kindness.
The XL Bully breed was added to the Dangerous Dogs list in England and Wales in 2023 following a series of fatal attacks.
The full inquest hearing will be scheduled once the criminal investigation concludes and all necessary reports have been compiled.