A MAN who was mauled to death by a dog in the park may have been bitten after collapsing and having a seizure, locals said today.
Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes, 34, was dog-walking through a recreation ground in Fareham, Hants., at around 10.30am on Wednesday when he was attacked.
Ian ‘Wiggy’ Symes died on Wednesday after he was attacked by a dog in the park[/caption]
Police and paramedics were scrambled to the scene but were unable to save Mr Symes, who was pronounced dead in the park.
Tributes have since flooded in for the “gentle soul” with locals saying he may have had a fit or seizure and collapsed before the attack – although this has not been confirmed.
One dad, who lives nearby, said he and his kids saw the air ambulance arrive from their garden.
The man, named only as Oliver, said: “We only know what we have heard from other people.
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“Someone said the man might have had a seizure and then the dog [bit him].
“The houses around the entrance [to the rec] had around ten police cars outside straight away.”
Another resident who lives near the park said she had been friends with Mr Symes since they were schoolchildren.
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The woman, who didn’t wish to be named, said his dad had come to her house to tell them the news about his son’s tragic death.
She said: “[Symes’] dad came round and told us it was his son who had died.
“I heard he was out walking a dog, but it wasn’t his dog that attacked him.”
Another man who lives just metres from the entrance to the park said he heard the man had been walking at least one dog before he is believed to have “had a fit and collapsed”.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, stressed he was simply repeating what he had heard and had not seen the incident himself.
He said: “All I heard was that there was a dog attack.
“Something along the lines of he had a fit while he was walking a dog and collapsed.”
The facts are he was out walking a dog something he loved to do and as sad as it is least he passed away doing something he loved.
Martin Symes
Mr Symes’ family today said the dog-lover was out walking a pet at the time, adding he died “doing something he loved”.
Several bouquets of flowers were also left at the scene in tribute.
Sharing a photo of his brother smiling next to two Rottweilers, Martin Symes, wrote on Facebook: “The past 30 hours have been pretty shocking and very hard to really understand what happened and why.
“Thanks for all the messages and tributes for my brother. It’s very touching to see the flowers and messages left at the field.
“Crazy to think of all the memories I had playing football on that field and the laughs I had in the school just got wiped from the situation that happened yesterday.”
He added: “The facts are he was out walking a dog something he loved to do and as sad as it is least he passed away doing something he loved.
“I’m not overly religious but I do believe you go to a better place, and no doubt he’ll be up there already walking his dogs.
“Back with your babies AJ and Roxy and in the loving arms of Mum and Nan.”
Martin said people rushed to help his brother following the attack.
And he said the people who were on the scene from the start “should be very proud of how they reacted to the situation”.
He said: “They tried their best in a very bad situation something that no one should have to be put through.”
Cops say a dog was secured and taken away on Wednesday.
A 20-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dangerously out of control animal and was released without charge while investigations continue.
Paying tribute to Mr Symes online, one devastated friend wrote: “RIP Wiggy Symes… one of life’s gentle souls.”
Someone else said: “So sad to hear of our beautiful-hearted Wiggy Symes passing this morning.
“So many childhood memories with you Wig, the most loyal protector on earth.”
Another added: “I along with everyone else in Fareham am in absolute shock.
“Far too young, far too soon and under horrific circumstances!”
A fourth wrote: “His love for his dogs was clear for all to see.”
Police say they are speaking to people in the area and carrying out “other lines of enquiry” to establish how Mr Symes died.
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A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “As part of our enquiries a 20-year-old man from Fareham has been arrested on suspicion of being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
“He has been released from custody without charge but remains under investigation while enquiries continue.”
