This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/6225205.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Family devastated by girl's death Family devastated by girl's death
(10 minutes later)
The family of a five-year-old girl killed by her uncle's dog say they are "absolutely devastated" by her death.The family of a five-year-old girl killed by her uncle's dog say they are "absolutely devastated" by her death.
Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death at her grandmother's house in St Helens on Monday. Post-mortem tests revealed she died of severe head and neck injuries.Ellie Lawrenson was mauled to death at her grandmother's house in St Helens on Monday. Post-mortem tests revealed she died of severe head and neck injuries.
Police and council officers have met to discuss the animal, described as a pit bull terrier-type, and whether it had a violent history. Police and council officials met to discuss the dog, described as a pit bull terrier-type, and confirmed they had received two complaints about it.
In a statement, Ellie's family said they "can't believe" she had died.In a statement, Ellie's family said they "can't believe" she had died.
"She was a little angel, full of life and always running around," they said. "Ellie was always happy and smiling. She was a little angel, full of life and always running around," they said.
"We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother to."We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother to.
"We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone."
When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community Supt Jon Ward Send us your commentsWhen a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community Supt Jon Ward Send us your comments
Officials were meeting in St Helens to examine reports of previous attacks by the animal. "We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone."
Officers from Merseyside Police and St Helens Council are also waiting to determine whether the dog is a breed which falls under the Dangerous Dogs Act. Officers said the family were all together to comfort one another following Ellie's death.
It has emerged that the dog's owner, Ellie's uncle, was warned by St Helens Council last June about the animal's behaviour. Officers from Merseyside Police and St Helens Council are waiting to determine whether the dog is a breed which falls under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
It followed an incident in May in which the animal was said to have attacked another dog. A post-mortem examination of the 12-month-old dog, which the family had since it was a puppy, is also being carried out.
It has emerged that the dog's owner, Ellie's uncle, was warned by St Helens Council last June about the animal's behaviour after it attacked another dog.
A second letter was sent after the council received a complaint about the dog's barking.
Pit bulls and the law Pit bull amnesty startsPit bulls and the law Pit bull amnesty starts
Several neighbours claimed the dog had violent tendencies and one man, who did not want to be named, said he had been attacked by the animal.Several neighbours claimed the dog had violent tendencies and one man, who did not want to be named, said he had been attacked by the animal.
Police found Ellie in the living room of the property in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, shortly before 0430 GMT on Monday.Police found Ellie in the living room of the property in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, shortly before 0430 GMT on Monday.
Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, had managed to lock the dog outside but suffered injuries to tendons in her arm, and wounds to her thumb and elbow.Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, had managed to lock the dog outside but suffered injuries to tendons in her arm, and wounds to her thumb and elbow.
She was taken to Whiston Hospital and underwent emergency surgery but is now said to be in a stable condition.She was taken to Whiston Hospital and underwent emergency surgery but is now said to be in a stable condition.
Dog handlers called to the house destroyed the animal. The dog was shot dead at the scene by a police marksman.
Police said Ellie had been staying with her grandmother after her parents had been out to celebrate New Year's Eve.Police said Ellie had been staying with her grandmother after her parents had been out to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Supt John Ward, of Merseyside Police, said: "This is such a tragic incident. When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community."Supt John Ward, of Merseyside Police, said: "This is such a tragic incident. When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community."