Inquest Reveals Details of William John Jones' Death
An inquest has heard how William John Jones, a 68-year-old man from Lampeter, died after being mauled by dogs.
Dyfed-Powys Police were called to the residence shortly after 5:00 pm on Monday, 10 January 2022, where Mr Jones was found deceased.
During the inquest held in Aberystwyth on Wednesday, over four years after his death, it was revealed that Mr Jones lived with his niece, Gwenfair Benjamin, aged 51, and her three pedigree bullmastiff dogs.
Ms Benjamin was caring for Mr Jones, who had Down syndrome.
The inquest heard that a pathological report indicated Mr Jones had suffered 38 injuries to his body.
It was also stated that on the day of the incident, Ms Benjamin had left around 1:00 pm to visit her partner.
She had locked the two younger dogs outside because they were "chewing things".
The third dog, their mother, remained inside where Mr Jones was at the time.
Although Mr Jones was familiar with the dogs, having lived with them in the house for two years, Ms Benjamin said he would "hiss at the dogs" and make them "overexcited".
"He would tell them to stop in his own way, but he couldn't give instructions the way I do, due to his speech impairment," said Ms Benjamin.
The inquest heard it was likely Mr Jones had let the dogs into the living room.
Ms Benjamin said this was something Mr Jones had done before, but "nothing had happened prior to that day".
Following the incident in 2022, the three dogs were taken from the property in the Brynhyfryd area.
When asked by coroner Peter Brunton why this might have happened, Ms Benjamin said Mr Jones knew he was not supposed to let the dogs into the house, but the "only thing" she could think of was that he wanted to get some ice cream, which was kept in the freezer at the back.
Ms Benjamin returned four hours later and found Mr Jones on the living room floor.
She called her partner, Terry Allan Jones, who also gave evidence to the inquest.
Mr Allan Jones said he had only known Mr Jones for a few months.
He stated the dogs were "familiar with William's company, having seen him with the dogs before, watching television with the three dogs on the sofa with him."
Gwenfair Benjamin said she and William John Jones had been like brother and sister.
The inquest heard the pathological report showed 38 injuries on Mr Jones' body caused by the dogs.
Coroner Peter Brunton, agreeing with the pathologist's report, stated that Mr Jones died from blood loss associated with injuries to his leg.
Detective Constable Richard Taberner told the inquest that reports showed the dogs' breed was not linked to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The coroner said it was "clear" that Mr Jones knew he was not supposed to let the dogs into the house when Ms Benjamin was not home.
"However, on this occasion, that is what he did," he said.
He added there was "no explanation as to why the dogs behaved as they did."
"Mr Jones was familiar with the dogs, as they were with him, and they had not misbehaved before."
The coroner recorded the cause of Mr Jones' death as accidental.
Ms Benjamin said: "We've been together since I was born. We've been like brother and sister through it all. I would never have wished for this to happen."
