THE inquest of a schoolgirl mauled to death by a pack of dogs was delayed by the animals' owner being taken to hospital this morning.

An inquiry into the death of Jade Lomas Anderson in Atherton in March, 2013, is taking place at Bolton Coroner's Court today.

Beverley Concannon was due to give evidence but the court was told that she was taken to hospital by ambulance at 7.30am today.

Jade, aged 14, died on March 26 last year after being savaged by four dogs at the Chaucer Grove home of Miss Concannon in Atherton.

She had spent the previous night there after having a sleepover with Miss Concannon's daughter Kimberley.

Coroner Alan Walsh said: " The situation at the present time is that the witness who was taken to hospital attended at 8.05 this morning.

"She has now been admitted on to a ward at the hospital.

"She is on an assessment ward although I have no information as to when the assessments will be completed.

"I expect them to be at some point this afternoon.

"No decision has yet been taken as to whether the lady will be admitted to hospital or discharged."

The start was delayed after four witnesses failed to attend court for the 10am scheduled start time.

Miss Concannon's partner Richard Bilsbury had also failed to attend, although the court had been notified about this earlier in the week.

Jodie Lewis and Paul Carter, who lived next door to the Concannon family, did not attend initially but eventually arrived.

Even after arriving at court, Miss Lewis was too "distressed" to give evidence.

Miss Concannon was spared jail in October last year after she had admitted causing unnecessary suffering to bull mastiffs Buddy and Neo, and Staffordshire bull terriers Ty and Sky.

She was given a 16-week suspended sentence, with the CPS finding insufficient evidence to bring a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence against her.