Dog that attacked and killed 17-month-old toddler Bella-Rae Birch was a legal breed
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
A 17-month-old girl who was tragically mauled to death in her home in St Helens was killed by an American Bully XL dog.
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Hide AdBella-Rae Birch was rushed to hospital after emergency services arrived on the scene at Bidston Avenue, Blackbrook, on Monday afternoon but she sadly died as a result of her injuries.
The dog, which was only bought by the family a week before Bella-Rae was killed, was handed over to police and put down.
An investigation has confirmed the dog was not an illegal breed prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
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Hide AdSpeaking at the scene of the dog attack, Superintendent Steve Brizell of Merseyside Police said Bella-Rae “lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances”.
Adding: “Detailed investigations are continuing into this tragic event.
“We are working to identify all the previous owners of the dog so we can establish its history.”
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Hide AdPolice were called to Bidston Avenue at around 3.50pm on Monday following a report that a child had been attacked by a dog.
One neighbour, who gave her name as Jordan, said she ran to help Bella-Rae.
She said: “We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over.”
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Hide AdThe neighbour, who is due to go to university to train as a paramedic, said the child’s parents were “hysterical”.
Merseyside Police are continuing enquiries into the tragic death of Bella-Rea Birch, as the family remain supported by specialist officers.
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