[supernoodles!]

A 56-year-old British woman has been mauled to death by a pack of wild dogs in Bulgaria, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Wild dogs are a problem in BulgariaMargaret Ann Gordon was savaged by seven or eight animals as she was walking her own dog near the village of Nedyalsko in the south east of the country yesterday.

Children in the area are said to have tried to help her but were also attacked by the beasts.

It was reported that a shepherd managed to drive the dogs away, but Mrs Gordon died from loss of blood before an ambulance arrived.

Her own pet, believed to be a German Shepherd, had escaped and run off.

Mrs Gordon, who was born in Wallsend, North Tyneside, had lived in Bulgaria for several years with her husband.


A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm a British national died yesterday afternoon after being attacked by dogs. Next of kin are aware.

"She was living out there, possibly for a couple of years with her husband.

"The regional police in Yambol said seven or eight dogs attacked her. She was walking her own dog when she was attacked."

"People living close by heard her shouts and screams and came to help."

Packs of wild dogs are a common hazard in the country, with many beaches on the Black Sea out of bounds because of the animals.

In the capital, Sofia, there are thought to be at least 35,000 street dogs.