They say that dogs are a man’s best friend, but it’s definitely not a good idea to snort blow with your best friend if this tragic story is anything to go by.

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41-year-old Mario Perivoitos was returning from a night out where he had consumed a quantity of cocaine in his flat in North London, accompanied by a BBC documentary crew who were filming an episode of ‘Drugs Map Britain’. Whilst filming the interview, Perivoitos suffered an epileptic seizure and was then attacked by his Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Major, who mauled his face and neck so badly that he ended up dying. Major had allegedly ingested eight times the drug drive limit.

Here’s what veterinary toxicology expert Nicholas Carmichael had to say about the incident:

It is very likely that this dog had consumed drugs, probably eaten them.

It is almost impossible to say whether that will make the dog attack but it does make them respond abnormally.

They become very excited and agitated, it is highly more likely that this attack happened because this dog had taken cocaine.

In my experience with Staffordshire Bull Terriers if they think they are in a dominant position its response must have been to attack.

The dog was eight times the drug drive limit.

The dog had clearly taken it and, whether it had eaten it or taken it in by smoke, it is likely to have been a factor in the dog’s behaviour.

Sounds like it almost certainly was, and I don’t really think that’s something we should be surprised about. It seems like Major had ingested a hell of a lot of drugs and this clearly would make him go completely rogue.

Coroner Andrew Walker gave the following verdict on Perivoitos’ death:

Mr Perivoitos was taking part in a documentary about illegal drugs, having returned to his home at 10.17pm having consumed a quantity of cocaine before becoming unwell.

It is likely that he was experiencing an epileptic shock which caused the dog to nip his face before biting his neck.

The film crew telephoned an ambulance whilst attempting to get the dog off Mr Perivoitos.

It is likely that the dog had consumed cocaine by eating it and it is likely that this was an additional factor in the dog’s behaviour.

Mr Perivoitos suffered serious injuries and was taken to a major trauma hospital and died shortly after midnight.

The dog was taken to a secure police storage facility, it was due to be destroyed but I do not know if it has been.

Kinda slack on the dog if the cocaine was responsible for his actions, although I suppose if a human was on cocaine and ended up mauling someone they would be jailed or similar, so maybe it’s fair. Not really sure. I’m more surprised that the BBC film crew just stood around whilst it happened and didn’t do anything to stop it or weren’t attacked themselves after Major had finished mauling Perivoitos. The whole situation doesn’t really add up to me at all, but perhaps it will become more clear as the inquest continues.

For more terriers, check out this guy who makes awesome illustrations with his bull terrier. A much happier story there.