NEIGHBOURS have told how a woman in her 80s in Rowley Regis was mauled to death by two hulking American XL Bullies (pitbulls) which charged through a fence to get to her.

Police were alerted after the elderly woman was found with serious injuries in a rear garden in Boundary Avenue at around 3.20pm on Friday April 2.

However - despite the best efforts of emergency services she was confirmed dead at the scene soon afterwards.

West Midlands Police have said the two dogs - which did not belong to the woman - attacked her after they managed to get into her garden.

One elderly neighbour, who lives opposite, said: "I know she's an old lady like myself.

"I never heard what happened but it's so horrible I feel so terrible about it all."

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "We just came at around 4pm and there were just so many police cars and everything blocking the road.

"We never heard anything that happened and I'm not sure who actually lives there.

"But I do know the neighbour had two dogs which lived at the address.

"It's just terrible what's happened.

"I have heard the dogs were American XL Bullies which he was breeding. They were monstrous beasts by all accounts. The poor lady stood no chance."

Another neighbour who lives a few doors down said: "I had popped out to go get some chocolate and when I came back there was just police everywhere.

"We had no idea what had happened but as I was walking past I just heard 'where's the dog?' "I'm not sure where the dogs came from but I know an elderly lady lived at the address.

"The air ambulance turned up and then a normal ambulance as well and about four police cars.

"But this is such a quiet road you can here a pin drop usually.

"The closed this road off and it only opened around 7.30pm again.

"It's just horrific what's happened and we're so shocked if she's an elderly lady in her 80s she would have stood no chance.

"We've only seen her a few times in passing but it's just horrendous."

Another neighbour said: "I didn't hear or see anything but I do know the man at number two and he's got two dogs.

"I think from what I've heard there was a broken fence and they've escaped through to there and mauled her to death.

"It's just horrible what's happened I didn't know her personally but it's terrible."

A 43-year-old local man has been detained on suspicion of being the person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. He was taken into custody for questioning and two dogs were seized and are due to undergo examination to establish their breed.