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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Girl killed by pit bull terrier | Girl killed by pit bull terrier |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A five-year-old girl has been killed by a pit bull terrier on Merseyside. | A five-year-old girl has been killed by a pit bull terrier on Merseyside. |
| Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death by the dog at the family home in St Helens in the early hours of Monday. | |
| Despite suffering serious injuries in the attack, the grandmother managed to lock the dog in a run outside the home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston. | Despite suffering serious injuries in the attack, the grandmother managed to lock the dog in a run outside the home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston. |
| The pit bull terrier was destroyed by dog handlers and armed response police officers who attended the scene shortly before 0430 GMT. | |
| Police say it is not clear why the dog attacked the child and her grandmother but an investigation is under way. | Police say it is not clear why the dog attacked the child and her grandmother but an investigation is under way. |
| Superintendent Jon Ward said: "This is such a tragic incident. | 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. | "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 the circumstances surrounding this young child's death. | "I would reassure the public that there will be a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this young child's death. |
| "In such incidents, safety of the public and of police officers is of utmost importance and with that in mind, we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely. | "In such incidents, safety of the public and of police officers is of utmost importance and 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." | "Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time." |