A toddler has died after being mauled to death by a ‘stocky Staffordshire terrier or Pitbull’, tearful neighbours have said.
Bella-Rae Birch was 17-months-old when she suffered fatal injuries after being attacked by the pet, which the family only bought a week earlier, at a home in St Helens.
Shocked residents of Bidston Avenue in the town spoke of their "utter devastation" after the horrific incident.
Locals in the “quiet” road fought back tears as they fondly remembered watching the tot playing with her brother.
Neighbour Joanne Matthews, 53, said: "She was such a beautiful little girl, toddling about. I'd see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant..
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “They were a lovely family, and it’s just devastating what has happened.
“The dog had a stocky build, it was a Staffordshire terrier or Pitbull, and it was fully grown. There was only one.
“It’s devastating. This is a normal quiet street, and the children would play in the street. The little girl, a toddler, was always about. It’s a shame I won’t be able to see that again.
“I don’t remember seeing anything at all until the ambulance arrived. They were a very pleasant family, with two kids.”
In a brief statement, the family of Bella-Rae Birch, named today by police, thanked the local community for their support and described the toddler as 'much loved'.
A statement released on their behalf by Merseyside Police said: "As a family we 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.
"She will be sadly missed but never forgotten."
Neighbour Jordan, who is hoping to go to university in September to train to be a paramedic, ran over to help when she heard screams.
She said: "I gave CPR to the baby. My head is a mess. I heard them screaming for help and I ran over. The parents were hysterical.
"I've lived here for eight years but I've never spoken to them before."
Jordan, who lives on a nearby road to the road from the family, said the baby's "devastated" mother Treysharn Bates was "crying hysterically" outside the house moments after yesterday’s horror attack.
Mourners gathered to lay flowers at the house, which was taped off this morning as police officers stood guard.
Neighbours said that the family of four had lived at the house for around three years but had only recently purchased the dog.
Another neighbour, who only wanted to provide his first name, David, said: "There were absolutely loads of police officers, there must have been about 20 police cars and ambulances.
"The square was absolutely swarming with them, I've never seen so many police in my life.
"I was just in shock when I heard a baby had been attacked by a dog. I believe the dog was tranquilised in the house with a dart gun."
Other neighbours reported seeing the animal brought out with a metal collar and rod by police officers.
At about 3.50pm on Monday, Merseyside Police officers were called to a home in St Helens following reports a child had been attacked by a dog.
Police and the North West Ambulance Service arrived at the scene and the girl was rushed to hospital.
She died of her injuries a short time later.
The dog, which had been bought just a week ago, was handed over to police when they arrived at the scene and it has since been killed.
Speaking this morning, Superintendant Steve Brizell said: "We were called by the family of a 17 month old girl Bella-Rae Birch, Bella Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances and our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and the wider community at this time.
"Our specialist family liaison officers are providing the family of Bella-Rae with support and officers will remain in the area in the coming days to provide further support and reassurance for the wider community."
Detective Inspector Lisa Milligan said yesterday: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child’s family at this devastating time.
Have you been impacted by this incident? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
"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.“
The dog will be subject to further forensic examinations to determine the breed of dog and whether it is or isn’t a legal breed, the police have said.
Officers remain at the scene this evening to examine CCTV, speak to witnesses and go door-to-door.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact us via the 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 or by visiting here.
