Five dogs that mauled a grandmother to death could be destroyed if the police get their way.

Gloria Knowles, 71, was found in the garden of her daughter’s home in Rutland Drive in Morden on October 30 last year.

The popular pensioner had been attacked by five of her daughter’s dogs, including two French mastiffs, after she had gone into the house to feed them.

She was pronounced dead at the scene with a post mortem concluding she had died of shock caused by blood loss after being bitten by the dogs.

The dogs were seized by police who have since applied for a court order to have them destroyed.

It was previously understood the dogs would not be destroyed as they are not a banned breed.

However police confirmed this morning that they had applied for a court order to destroy the dogs and were awaiting a court date.

Mrs Knowles had run the Harrington Pie and Mash shop in Tooting, which was founded by her grandfather, which was continued by her daughter, Beverley Mason, following her retirement.

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident. An inquest into the death will be held in due course.