The first photos have emerged of Natasha Johnston, the “stoic” and “smart” younger canine walker who was mauled to dying by dogs at a Surrey magnificence spot.
The 28-year-old died from “multiple penetrating dog bites to the neck” and a wound to her left jugular vein within the assault on Jan 12, an opening inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court heard final month.
Ms Johnston, knowledgeable canine walker from Croydon in south London, was killed by shock and a haemorrhage at a viewpoint and bridle path in Gravelly Hill, close to Caterham.
Until now, no photos have been launched of Ms Johnston, who had additionally remained publicly unnamed for 2 weeks after the assault, with little identified about her life.
But on Saturday night time, a pal of Ms Johnston despatched The Telegraph a touching picture of her cradling her personal canine, a golden labradoodle, as they each benefit from the sunshine.
The image was taken in spring 2020, seemingly making it the newest one to be launched.
It comes after a pal of Ms Johnston approached The Telegraph final month to present the primary tribute, insisting that Ms Johnston “was not new to dogs” having walked them for round 5 years and “labored actually onerous” coaching them, whereas revealing a “stoic”, sporty, humorous and unusual individual along with her life forward of her.
The pal advised The Telegraph: “She was tall, a really smart and quiet individual, she was very assured however quietly assured. She had actually beautiful mild blonde hair and typically she would dye it in pastille shades and I might at all times ask her about her hair.
“She’s not an individual who would rip folks off or do terrible issues, she was an individual dwelling a straight-forward life, dwelling along with her dad, driving a beat-up automotive, walking dogs and loving animals.”
The pal added: “I bear in mind she went tenting as soon as and went canoeing and issues like that… I by no means thought it might be anybody I knew, I simply cannot imagine that this has occurred to her.”
Ms Johnston, who grew up on the Isle of Wight, owned a golden doodle or a labradoodle and had beforehand owned a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and, the pal understood through one other pal, had taken in a rescue canine.
More friends have now stepped forward to remember Ms Johnston, who reportedly attended state college then labored as a carer till she left the island round 2017, earlier than changing into knowledgeable canine walker extra just lately.
Jo Butchers, 34, a pal of Ms Johnston from her childhood home of Ryde on the Isle of Wight, advised The Mail on Sunday: “Long countryside walks with the dogs have been her factor. She did loads of canine walking right here, not as knowledgeable however along with her personal dogs and people of mates.
“Then she moved away and that grew to become her job in London. She grew up with dogs, so she at all times cherished them.”
The mom of a childhood pal additionally advised the newspaper: “We’re completely devastated. She was so caring, a stupendous lady inside and outside… I do know there can be lots of people going as much as her funeral.”
Since the assault, eight dogs have been seized and stay in non-public kennels for forensic exams. None have been banned breeds, with two Dachshunds and an 11-stone Leonberger named Shiva amongst them.
It is just not identified what number of dogs Ms Johnston was walking, given one different lady sustained minor accidents, however the dying sparked nationwide concern about complicated licensing rules.
The full inquest into Ms Johnston’s death is because of happen in June.
