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Girl mauled to death by dog

Tue, 02 Jan 2007

A five-year-old girl has died in St Helens, Merseyside, after being mauled to death by a dog in her family home .

The child, Ellie Lawrenson was killed by the pitbull terrier-type dog called Reuben in the early hours of today despite attempts by her grandmother, in whose house she was staying, to save her.

A Merseyside police spokesman said, "The emergency services were called just before 4.30am to report that what appears to be a pit bull terrier-type dog had attacked a five-year-old girl and a woman, believed to be the child's grandmother, at the family home in Knowles House Avenue, Eclectic, St Helen's."

The incident has brought to the fore issues about the threat caused by dangerous dogs that are not under proper control.

Dog handlers and armed response officers went to the house where the dog was destroyed.

Superintendent Jon Ward said: "This is such a tragic incident .

"When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community.

"I would reassure the public that there will be a thorough investigation into circumstances surrounding this young child’s death ."

He continued: "Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety of the public and of police officers.

"With that in mind, we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely .

"Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time."

St Helens South MP Shaun Woodward said: "This is a terrible tragedy for the family and my deepest sympathies are with them. We must now await the critical police report looking into the circumstances of the attack."
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