The devastated children of a man killed by his pet dog have defended the animal that mauled their dad to death.

Stephen Hodgson’s daughters and son say their family pet Buster, a Staffordshire cross pit bull, is not usually aggressive and something must have “freaked the dog out”.

The Hodgson family had taken the dog in about three years ago after it was abused by a previous owner.

Stephen’s children are Carla, 16, Frazer and Jade, both 19.

The family said Buster had not shown any signs of aggression in the past, and they described him as a gentle dog.

Mr Hodgson, 45, suffered horrific injuries in the incident at his home on Robert Owen Avenue, in Cleator Moor, on Sunday.

Despite the family trying to pull the dog off their dad and medics spending half an hour attempting to resuscitate Mr Hodgson, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family say the air ambulance crew believed Mr Hodgson suffered a cardiac arrest. 

However, it is unclear if this took place before or during the attack. “Because of the extent of the injuries the dog gave him, there would have been no chance he’d survive it,” said Carla.

Carla and Frazer described how the horrific incident unfolded.

Carla said she, Jade and their dad had been watching television, all three of them sitting on a bed in an upstairs room.

Mr Hodgson suddenly fell ill and collapsed.

Carla said: “Dad fell backwards off the bed and onto the floor. At first, when we tried to get to my dad, Buster was barking.

“When we got Buster out of the door, Jade took him out into the garden.

“I was trying to pick my dad up from the floor but his eyes were just rolling to the back of his head.”

She said Mr Hodgson suffered from the epilepsy. However, he showed no signs of an epileptic fit.

Carla said: “I couldn’t pick him up. He was really heavy.”

She said that when Jade went back into the house Buster followed. Jade was able to pick Mr Hodgson up off the floor.

“That’s when somehow Buster barged back through the door,” said Carla. “He [Buster] tried to nudge his [Mr Hodgson’s] head – that’s when I saw he was biting my dad.”

Carla said Buster stopped the attack briefly, so she got hold of the dog’s legs and Jade got hold of his side and the pair moved him into another room.

She said Jade then rang Frazer and then an ambulance. She stayed on phone until ambulance crews arrived.

Frazer says he went round to the house, where he held his dad and put him in the recovery position and opened his airways.

“When crews arrived they dragged my dad out of the room and put him on the landing,” says Carla.

Emergency services including police, ambulance, air ambulance were called to the home.

Ambulance crews tried to do CPR and a blood transfusion at the house but Mr Hodgson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the attack, Buster was destroyed. Three other dogs were seized by police and investigations are underway to establish their breed.

Emotional tribute to much-loved dad


Stephen Hodgson Stephen Hodgson's children have paid moving tributes to their dad.

The 45-year-old was dad to Frazer and Jade, 19, and Carla, 16.

Carla said: "He always tried to make everyone happy no matter if he was down himself."

"He was respected by a lot of people."

And Frazer added: "He was a good father, son, brother, uncle and my best friend. He will be missed by all of his friends and family."

His family say they have many good memories of their dad, who was born and bred in Cleator Moor.

They described him as a "a good cook", saying he was a fan of horror and war films.

Carla said: "Me and my dad were both interested in history. It was a bond we had together."

Mr Hodgson was raised in Cleator Moor.

When he was at secondary school, he lost his eye in an accident. This stopped him pursuing his dream of going into the Parachute Regiment.

Mr Hodgson became a carpenter and later a stay-at-home dad.

A motorbike accident also resulted in him needing a metal plate in his arm, and he latterly also suffered problems moving his hand.

In an emotional tribute, Frazer promised to look after his sisters.

In the Facebook post, the 19-year-old says he couldn't have asked for a better dad, and was "so proud" of him.

"I will live life with pride for you dad," Frazer wrote.

"I hope you know that I will look after mam, Jade, Carla and grandma and grandad.

"We are all so proud of you. You've had your ups and downs but you have always pulled through.

"But just because you're gone doesn't mean you will be forgotten: I really love you dad."

Frazer thanked the close-knit group of friends and family who encircled the family with love and support in the wake of the tragedy.