This is pure horror!
A toddler was mauled to death by a pet dog in the English town of St Helen’s in Merseyside. The family has said their “much-loved” 17-month-old girl who was mauled to death by a dog in her home will be “missed but never forgotten”.
In a statement, Merseyside Police said tests had confirmed the dog involved was an American Bully XL – a legal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Bella-Rae Birch‘s family had only bought the dog a week before her death. They are being supported by specialist officers. The incident occurred at her home on Bidston Avenue in Blackbrook, St Helens, Merseyside at around 3.50 pm.
She was immediately taken to the hospital, however, the child succumbed to her injuries. The family is grieving their loss and is completely heartbroken, per Daily Mail. According to the neighbors, the child’s mother, Treysharn Bates was “crying outside the house” after the incident occurred earlier this week. Relatives and friends could be seen leaving flowers on the street the next day.
The child’s family said in a statement, “As a family we would like to thank the community for their support. We would ask that we are now allowed some space and time to try and come to terms with the tragic loss of our much-loved Bella-Rae. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten.”
Joanne Foster, a neighbor spoke to the outlet,
“She was such a beautiful little girl, toddling about. I’d see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant.” She saw an ambulance arrive at the house followed by around 10 police vehicles. She added, “I saw them bring the dog out. I couldn’t tell what breed it was but from the back it looked like a staffordshire bull terrier or pit bull.”
Jordon, another neighbor said, “We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over.”
The police said Bella-Rae had lost her life in the most “unimaginably terrible circumstances”, adding the community had “woken up to the most tragic news”.
The dog was handed over to the police and has been humanely destroyed. Bella-Rae’s mother paid tribute to her “gorgeous blue-eyed girl”.
A fundraising page has been set up by the family to help pay for a ‘beautiful send-off’ for Bella-Rae.
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: AWM, Daily Mail