Man dies in guard dog stand-off

Police have named a Cumbrian man who died after his two Rottweiler dogs prevented emergency services reaching him for almost two hours.

The animals attacked emergency crews trying to reach Gerald Mitchell, 62, from Salterbeck, Workington, who had collapsed on an industrial estate.

One of the dogs was shot dead by a police marksman, the other was stunned with a Taser, then put down by a vet.

Mr Mitchell was taken to hospital, but pronounced dead.

Police were alerted by a member of the public who reported the dogs acting aggressively at Clay Flats Industrial estate in Workington on Friday.

A group of police officers, firefighters and paramedics were prevented from reaching Mr Mitchell, who was lying on a path next to a metal fence and railway track.