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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 hurt by a pit bull terrier at the family home on Merseyside.A five-year-old girl has been killed and her grandmother seriously hurt 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.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. Ms 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.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. Officers who rushed to the scene shortly before 0430 GMT found Ellie bleeding to death in the living room where she had been attacked.
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. Ms Simpson, who shared the home with Ellie's aunt and uncle, had been bitten on her arms and legs.
Superintendent Jon Ward said: "This is such a tragic incident. Serious injuries
"When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community. Her injuries are described as "serious but not life threatening" and police have revealed that she may have to undergo surgery.
"I would reassure the public that there will be a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this young child's death. It is not clear why the dog attacked the child and her grandmother but an investigation into the incident is under way.
"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. Superintendent Jon Ward, operational manager for the St Helens region, said: "This is such a tragic incident.
"Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time." "We attended the scene, by which stage the dog had been shut away down the side entrance of the house.
St Helens South MP Shaun Woodward said: "This is a terrible tragedy for the family and my deepest sympathies are with them. "When officers arrived it became apparent from a very early stage that the girl had tragically died as a result of the attack.
"We must now await the critical police report looking into the circumstances of the attack." "The ambulance service did what it could for her but unfortunately she died at the scene."
Put down
Police dog handlers who arrived minutes later, decided the dog, called Reuben, had to be shot as soon as possible.
Mr Ward added: "They made a decision as to whether it was safe to control the dog and seize and safely remove it.
"The assessment was that that couldn't be done safely so the dog was humanely destroyed at the scene around 5.40am this morning."
Detectives understand Ellie's parents were not in the house at the time of the attack.
Police believe Ellie's parents went out to celebrate New Year's Eve, leaving Ellie with her grandmother and when they returned, Ellie asked to stay there.
They are then thought to have left the property about 3.40am, shortly before the attack.
According to police, Ellie's uncle - who is thought to own the dog - was not at home when the attack happened.