AN inquest into the death of a woman who was savaged by a police dog is to be held next year - almost four years after she died.

Irene Collins died in July 2014 after being attacked in her home in Penrith Road, Middlesbrough by a dog which had been searching for a drug suspect.

The 73-year-old, who was understood to have previous health problems, was taken to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital on July 16, where she died four days later.

But almost four years on from her death, Ms Collins' inquest has been set for March 15 next year.

It is scheduled to last two weeks and will be heard by a jury.

The pre-inquest hearing, held at Middlesbrough Town Hall yesterday, heard that evidence will be given by medical staff from James Cook University hospital as well as Cleveland Police officers.

Members of Ms Collins family will also be giving witness evidence.

Assistant Coroner Karin Welsh said the inquest would look at the deployment of the dog and the control of the police dog.

Following Ms Collins' death, the matter was also referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the dog was put down.

A Cleveland Police dog handler was issued with with a gross misconduct notice following the incident.

Officers had been searching for Mohammed Zakwan Rashid, of Leeds, when Ms Collins had been attacked.

A month later, the 18-year-old pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to three charges of being concerned in the supply of 1.5kg of heroin, dangerous driving and the concealment of criminal property in his motor vehicle - more than £14,000 in cash.

Last year, a Cleveland Police German Shepherd dog was put down after a man suffered bite puncture wounds on his arm and upper body.

A PC was exercising two dogs in a field near to Ormesby Stables in Eston near Middlesbrough, when the incident happened.

A 10-year-old boy was injured on the shoulder after being bitten by a police dog in a separate incident.