Fatal Coventry dog attack victim may been epileptic fit

Ms Reilly added her sister had suffered two seizures in the six or seven weeks before she died, and one of those lasted eight minutes.

Consultant pathologist Dr Hesham El-Daly, who performed a post-mortem examination, said Kelly Reilly sustained bruising to her head from the fall and suffered “significant” injuries consistent with a dog bite, including a severed throat.

Dr El-Daly agreed that Ms Reilly did not sustain any defensive injuries, meaning the attack was either “quick and ferocious” or she was “not in control of her body”, which is a feature of epilepsy.

Concluding the inquest, Mr Henry said: “Tragedy comes along through unintended actions with wholly unintended consequences, and in my mind that’s what happened with Kelly here.

“I have seen before me a strong family demonstrating a strength by attending this inquest and the strength to listen to the evidence.

“I am sure that Kelly would be really proud of you.”