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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Girl killed by pit bull terrier | Girl killed by pit bull terrier |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A five-year-old girl has been killed and her grandmother seriously injured by a pit bull terrier at the family home on Merseyside. | |
| Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death and Jackie Simpson, 46, suffered serious injuries in the attack in St Helens. | |
| Mrs Simpson, who is recovering in Whiston Hospital, managed to lock the dog in a run outside the home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston. | |
| The pit bull terrier was destroyed by police following the attack on Monday. | |
| Mrs Simpson's injuries are described as "serious but not life threatening" and police have revealed that she may have to undergo surgery. | |
| Police say it is not clear why the dog attacked the child and her grandmother but an investigation into the incident, which happened shortly before 0430 GMT, 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." |
| 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." |