Akif Mushtaq, 42, died in hospital on December 5 after sustaining bite wounds to his neck and throat during a dog attack the previous day.
The dad-of-five was co-owner of East Dulwich Dry Cleaners on Lordship Lane, south east London.
Shocked customers and friends remembered Akif as a “lovely man” and set up a fundraiser to support his family.
Esme, a local who has known Akif for 20 years, said: ” It was a huge shock for me so I just cannot comprehend what his family are feeling right now.
“Akif had young children who will be left without a father. He was such a lovely man, always smiling and good humoured – joking about how good his wife’s cooking was and how he had gained some weight.
“We always had a laugh and he was never in a bad mood whenever I popped in.”
You can support the fundraiser by clicking here.
Another local commented: “Akif was the man who managed to make a visit to the dry cleaners a pleasure. A personal greeting, a welcoming smile and time for a chat during his busy day. A huge loss to the community of East Dulwich.”
Leanne McDonell, 33, is accused of being the owner of the pitbull, named Prince, which is alleged to have been responsible for the fatal attack.
The incident took place on Shirley Road in the early hours of the morning.
McDonell appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday (January 6).
Leanne McDonell, 33, pictured leaving Snaresbrook Crown Court (Image: NQ) During a brief hearing in front of Judge Oscar Del Fabbro, she pleaded not guilty to being the owner or person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.
McDonell is also charged with owning or being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog without causing injury on November 18 relating to the same dog, but she was not asked to enter pleas on these charges.
A trial date was fixed for June 2 this year with a time estimate of three to four days.
