St Helens dog attack: Girl aged 17 months killed at home

Bella-Rae Birch's family said she would be "sadly missed but never forgotten"

A 17-month-old girl has died after being attacked by a dog in her home.

Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital after the attack in St Helens at about 15:50 GMT on Monday, Merseyside Police said.

Her family said she would be "sadly missed but never forgotten" and thanked the community for its support.

Officers said her "absolutely devastated" family had only bought the dog, which was killed by police, a week ago and tests would be carried out to see if it was an illegal breed.

Police said they would also try to identify its previous owners as part of the investigation.

Supt Steve Brizell said the toddler's death had "left a family and a community grieving and in complete shock".

"Bella-Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances," he said.

"At this stage we understand that the family dog they had bought just a week earlier has attacked Bella-Rae inside the family home.

"Bella-Rae was taken by ambulance to hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts of police officers at the scene, paramedics and doctors sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries."

The attack happened at the family's home in St Helens on Monday afternoon

The attack happened at the family's home in Bidston Avenue in the Blackbrook area of St Helens.

One neighbour, who gave her name as Jordan, said the child's parents were "hysterical".

"We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over," she said.

"I didn't see the dog, I was just focusing on helping the baby."

Another neighbour who helped to give CPR said: "The parents doted on the children. It's too upsetting to say anything else."

Joanne Matthews said she saw an ambulance outside the house and then about 10 police vehicles arrived.

"I saw them bring the dog out. I couldn't tell what breed it was but from the back it looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier or pit bull," she said.

Bella-Rae's death has "left a family and a community grieving and in complete shock", police said

Ms Matthews, 53, said the toddler was "a beautiful little girl".

"I'd see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant," she said.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she got home when the area was busy with police.

"The mum was on the field at the front of the house crying. She was hysterical," she said.

"It is usually very quiet here and safe for children, but when you hear something like this has happened it is so distressing."

At the scene

By BBC North West Tonight reporter Yunus Mulla

Floral tributes have been left outside the family's home

Two police officers remain at the family's home.

The streets were quiet this morning as people come to terms with the tragedy.

It is the early stages of the investigation and police were carrying out house-to-house inquiries and looking at CCTV footage.

As officers conduct tests to see what breed of dog it was, and try to trace its previous owners, they were also reassuring neighbours who are shocked and distressed at the attack.

In a statement, Bella-Rae's family said they would "like to thank the community for their support".

"We would ask that we are now allowed some space and time to try and come to terms with the tragic loss of our much-loved Bella-Rae," they added.

Anyone who witnessed anything in the area at the time, or who has information about the dog, has been asked to contact police.

Supt Brizell said the force was providing the family with support and officers would remain in the area in the coming days to provide "further reassurance and support" to the wider community.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was "devastated to hear news that a young girl tragically lost her life".

"Thoughts are with her family and loved ones," she tweeted.

Ms Spurrell said the police and St Helens Council were supporting the family and the local community.

St Helens Labour councillor Jeanie Bell said the girl's death was "absolutely awful".

She tweeted: "I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak for their family."

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