Mum mauled to death by her dog that “turned mad and snapped”

A mother has been mauled to death by her own dog at home, with her boyfriend sustaining life-changing injuries trying to save her.

A devastated woman has recalled how her daughter was savaged to death by her dog after he “turned mad and snapped”.

Mum-of-two Joanne Robinson, 43, is understood to have been pinned down by the jaws of her American bully Rocco at home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK, The Sun reported.

The animal seized her around the throat after Joanne had come home from a night out visiting friends – while her frantic boyfriend Jamie Stead desperately tried to help.

He was mauled courageously trying to save his partner and has undergone skin grafting for potentially life-changing injuries.

Mum-of-two Joanne Robinson was killed at home by her dog. Picture: Tracey Kandohla

American Bully Rocco Mauled Joanne to death. Picture: Supplied

“I am in total disbelief and shock” Joanne’s mother, Dotty Robinson, told The Sun.

“I just hope it was quick and that she didn’t suffer too much. I want everyone to know how well loved she was.

“She was born and bred in this village. They all know her and love her.”

Dotty told how Rocco – who was nearly two and his two-year-old mate, Bully XL Lola – were both destroyed this morning.

The gran-of-nine told how her daughter and partner had the dogs since puppies.

“They were good dogs, they are not a banned breed and were not dangerous” she said.
“They were not related but they got on well together. I don’t know why they suddenly snapped.

“Rocco’s a big dog, he’s bigger than a lion.

Flowers have been left outside the mum's home. Picture: Ben Lack

“They [the dogs] were no trouble. It must have been the heat.

“There’s a saying about mad dogs going out in the midday sun.”

A warning sign on the front wall states: “Beware of dog.”

Today stunned friends and neighbours continued to place tributes and pay respects at the home where “kind and caring” Joanne was savaged to death on Friday night.

A sea of cards, flowers and balloons adorned the home where the couple have lived for twenty years – including a poignant one from Joanne’s grown-up children Elle, 24, and Dillon, 19, saying: “Mum I love and miss you.”

Touching tributes have been left outside Joanne's home. Picture: Tracey Kandohla

Dotty, reliving the horror, told how her daughter had been to visit a friend and had walked back into the house at about 10pm.

“She was downstairs and suddenly Rocco attacked her, it got her, I think it was around the throat.” she explained.

“Lola was going mad, she was trying to be protective and Steady, Joanne’s partner but we call him her husband, tried to save her.

“He was trying to get Lola out of the room, he had no choice but to get her out and during that time Rocco attacked.”

Neighbours had told how they had heard piercing screams coming from the top of the road.

“I’m hoping it was quick. I can’t bear to think of her suffering. I think she was grabbed around the throat but we haven’t had the results of the post-mortem yet” she added.

“They are due today.

“There’s rumours and gossip going around that Joanne was attacked while she was in bed asleep. That is all rubbish.

“Rocco carried out the attack not Lola but both dogs were seized by police.”

Police were pictured at the scene. Picture: Ben Lack

She told how the animals had been humanly put down today.
“They have both been destroyed. Police told Steady and he agreed Lola should go too because of what happened” she said.

Jamie, 42, who runs a company making blinds, suffered injuries to his face, both arms, his stomach and has undergone skin grafting.

“He’s hoping to come home from hospital today but he is still in much pain” she said.

“He knows Joanna has gone and is absolutely devastated as we all are. We will miss her so much.

“He’s had a horrible ordeal. He’s lost his partner of 20 years and his dogs.”

Jamie’s distraught mum, who had joined Dotty and other mourners outside the house, said she was too upset to speak out.

Emergency crews raced to the scene but it was sadly too late to save her and she was pronounced dead at the scene.