One family said their “beloved” 17-month-old daughter, who was killed by a dog in her home, was “missing but never forgotten.”
The child who died after the attack at her home in Blackbrook, St Helens, was named Monday by Merseyside Police
like Bella-Rae Birch.
Her devastated family has released a brief statement to trust place and time.
“As a family, we want to thank the community for their support,” they said. “We are now asking for some space and time to try to come to terms with the tragic loss of our beloved Bella-Rae. She will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
Neighbors spoke of her shock after the baby, described as a “beautiful little girl”, died after being bitten by a newly purchased dog.
Police were called to an address on Monday afternoon around 3.50pm after a report that Bella-Rae had been attacked in her own home by a dog. The child was taken to hospital where she died from her injuries.
Chatting outside the house Supt Steve Brizell said that the child had lost her life in the “unimaginably most horrific circumstances and our thoughts, above all, were with the family and larger community”.
Specialist family liaison officers provided support, he said. The incident left “a family and community sad and completely shocked”.
Brizell said the dog that was torn down had been with the family for a week after it was purchased. It is forensically examined to determine its breed and to determine if it is permitted under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
“We are working to identify all of the dog’s previous owners so we can determine its history.”
A neighbor, Joanne Foster, said: “She was such a beautiful little girl who walked around. I could see the family passing by, just to say good morning, and they were always very pleasant.
She said she first saw an ambulance in the house, followed by about 10 police cars. “I saw them take out the dog. I could not tell what breed it was, but from the back it looked like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Pitbull.
A neighbor, who gave her name as described by Jordan, ran to help Bella-Rae.
“We pulled out of school and heard screams. I just went over to help and started CPR until paramedics took over.
The neighbor, who is to go to university to train as an ambulance driver, said the child’s parents were “hysterical”.
Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, said she came home around 4.30pm to find the area busy with police.
“It’s usually very quiet here and safe for children, but when you hear that something like this has happened, it’s so disturbing,” the neighbor said.
Police have called for anyone who has seen events on Bidston Avenue, or has information about the dog, to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via their social media desk, @MerPolCC, or “Merseyside Police Contact Center” on Facebook, with reference 22000196837.
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