THE TWO WOMEN arrested at the weekend in connection with the death of a 79-year-old man in Liverpool have been released on conditional bail, pending further enquiries.

Clifford Clarke was killed when an “out of control” dog attacked him in his back garden at about 8.40pm Saturday.

Merseyside Police officers said they found the body of a man and were confronted by the vicious dog when they were called to an address at Richard Kelly Close in the Clubmoor area.

A post-mortem exam showed the victim died from multiple injuries consistent with a dog attack.

Although the breed of dog had not been established at the time, two women in their late-20s were detained on suspicion of manslaughter and an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, 1991.

Investigations into the tragic death continue.

The dog attack is the second to occur in Britain this year. In March, 14-year-old Manchester girl Jade Anderson died in an attack by a number of dogs. Her family have started a campaign to pressure the government to change laws relating to dog ownership.

A study published in April found a link between violent crime and the trade for dogs on Britain’s streets. The three year study from Middlesex University included over 100 interviews, many with dangerous dog owners and several gang members found evidence of animals changing hands for up to £10,000 each.

‘Out of control’ dog attacks and kills elderly man in his garden

‘Justice for Jade’ campaign looks for change after dog attack

Read: Teenage girl found dead in house with ‘out of control’ dogs>

Read: New study links violent crime with dangerous dog trade