The grieving ex-boyfriend of a mum-of-three mauled to death by her two pet dogs today said the animals had "never bit anyone in their lives."
Elayne Stanley was tragically attacked by American Bulldogs, DJ and Billy, at around 5.15pm on Tuesday, inside her living room at her Widnes home.
The 44-year-old, whose 12-year-old twin daughters were in the house when the bloody savaging took place, at the terraced address on Graham Road, suffered fatal wounds.
Now, Paul Leigh, Elayne's former partner, who used to own the dogs, said they had never been aggressive in his experience with them.
The 43-year-old told the ECHO: "The dogs lived with Elayne.
"They used to be mine, when my son had DJ and my daughter had Billy, and we had them three years.
"The dogs have been residing with Elayne for two-and-a-half years.
"My dad had them before me.
"They've never bit anyone.
"The dogs would toy fight, but they'd not been aggressive."
Mr Leigh, a dad-of-four and a full-time carer for his son, was identifying Elayne's body this morning.
He was too upset to comment further.
His slightly-built eight stone ex-girlfriend was pounced on in her living room while brave neighbours tried desperately to force their way inside the locked house.
Bricks and other items were thrown towards the crazed dogs to distract them from part time care assistant Elayne, but "they would not budge," said upset mum-of-two and neighbour 22-year-old Savannah Hayes.
A post-mortem examination was being carried out on Thursday with the results expected to be released today.
Stunned locals said the mastiff-type dogs were large and muscular, often leaping up at the living room window when people walked past.
But it was added by some residents that the animals loved being stroked, and how children, aged around 10, had gone for sleepovers at Elayne's house, when the dogs were present.
No problems took place then.
An online fundraising campaign is underway to help pay for Elayne's funeral.
One of the dogs - DJ - was shot dead by police marksmen after it failed to calm down and remained out-of-control at the Widnes home.
Billy was more placid, and was taken to a secure kennel.
Cheshire Police has now confirmed Billy was "put to sleep" by an injection .
Bev Hall, a friend of Elayne's who lived across the road, wrote on the Go Fund Me page, she wrote: "Let's help give her the send off she deserves and her babies a little helping hand in this difficult time."
She added: "You gorgeous lot are helping so much and I know Elaynes daughters and family appreciate everyone's donations and kind loving words."
So far, £379 has been raised.
Neighbours told the ECHO how the terrified children were screaming out an upstairs back window, while the mauling took place.
And male voices were heard yelling, "I can't get at them!" as neighbours battled to save Elayne's life .
