Merseyside police have confirmed a baby girl who died after being attacked by a dog was Bella-Rae Birch.
The 17-month-old was mauled by the animal at her home at around 3.50pm yesterday, on Monday, March 21. Emergency services rushed to the scene, on Bidston Avenue, St Helens and took the baby to hospital.
Tragically, Bella-Rae died from her injuries in hospital a short time later. Police have reported that Bella-Rae's family had bought the dog just a week before the attack.
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In a police press statement close to the scene, Superintendent Steve Brizell said: "The community of Blackbrook and the whole of Merseyside has woken up today to the most tragic news. Officers were called to attend a house here on Bidston Avenue, at around 3.50pm yesterday.
"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 devastating time."
He added: "At this stage we understand that the family dog they'd 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 at police officers at the scene, the paramedics and doctors, sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries."
The dog was handed over to police at the address and has been humanely destroyed. 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 under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
Speaking after the attack, 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 us via our 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."
