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Seventeen-month-old baby killed by dog family bought only a week before
The police have confirmed that the family bought the dog just one week ago
A seventeen-month-old baby girl has died after being mauled by a dog in her home in St Helens, Merseyside Police has confirmed.
Emergency services were called out to Bidston Avenue in Blackbrook at around 3.50pm yesterday (Monday, March 21st), where the youngster was rushed to the hospital.
Tragically, she later died of her injuries.
The dog – whose breed is yet to be confirmed – was handed over to police, and was later killed.
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Officers will be carrying out tests on the dog to see if it was an illegal breed, as well as trying to identify its previous owners.
Merseyside Police said the child’s ‘absolutely devastated’ family had only bought the dog a week ago.
Det Insp Lisa Milligan said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child’s family at this devastating time.
“Whilst we are in the very early stages of the investigation into this extremely tragic incident we can confirm that the dog was only bought by the family a week ago and officers are working to identify the previous owners of the dog concerned and establish its history.
“Our officers will remain on Bidston Avenue in the coming days to provide reassurance to the local community and we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances.
“If you were in the Bidston Avenue area and witnessed anything, or have any information about the dog in question then please come forward speak to one of our officers.
“Our officers take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously. Over the past years we have worked proactively with the five local authorities in Merseyside to ensure prohibited dogs are taken off the streets.”
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police on Twitter @MerseyPolice, or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, with reference number 22000196837.
They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.