The family of a baby girl mauled to death by a dog only bought the animal a week ago.
Police confirmed they were called to a house on Bidston Avenue, in Blackbrook, St Helens, at around 3.50pm on Monday, March 21. At the scene they found a 17-month-old girl had been attacked by a dog. The girl was rushed to hospital for treatment but she died a short time later from her injuries. Officers said the dog was only bought by the family a week ago.
An investigation has now been launched and officers are working to identify the animal's previous owners. After the attack the dog was seized by police and humanely destroyed. It has not yet been revealed what breed the dog was. However detectives said forensic examinations are taking place to determine if it is, or isn't a legal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
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Officers remain on Bidston Avenue this morning and extensive CCTV, witness and house-to-house enquiries are being carried out. Detective Inspector Lisa Milligan said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child’s family at this devastating time. The little girl’s parents and wider family are absolutely devastated and our specialist Family Liaison Officers are providing them with support at this horrendous time.
"Whilst we are in the very early stages of the investigation into this extremely tragic incident we can confirm that the dog was only bought by the family a week ago and officers are working to identify the previous owners of the dog concerned and establish its history. Our officers will remain on Bidston Avenue this evening and in the coming days to provide reassurance to the local community and we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances.
"If you were in the Bidston Avenue area this afternoon and witnessed anything, or have any information about the dog in question then please come forward speak to one of our officers. Our officers take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously. Over the past years we have worked proactively with the five local authorities in Merseyside to ensure prohibited dogs are taken off the streets."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via their social media desk @MerPolCC or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, with reference 22000196837. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
