Children were seen leaving teddies, flowers and balloons outside the home of Bella-Rae Birch after she was killed in a dog attack.
The 17-month-old died after being mauled by a dog in her own home at around 3.30pm on Monday, March 22. The North West Ambulance Service and Merseyside Police rushed to the scene on Bidston Avenue, in St Helens but the baby girl died from her injuries in hospital a short time later.
The dog was handed over to police at the address and has been humanely destroyed. The dog will be subject to further forensic examinations to determine its breed and whether it is, or isn’t a legal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
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Police reported Bella-Rae's family had bought the dog just a week before the attack. Since the news of her death thousands of people have paid tribute to Bella-Rae online and dozens have left flowers, balloons and teddy bears at the scene.
A little boy in his school uniform was seen walking up to the cordon and handing a police officer a pink star balloon with 'Rest in peace Bella Rae' written on it, along with a small rabbit teddy bear with the pink nose.
Her family issued a tribute to Bella-Rae through Merseyside police, and said: "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."
In a police press statement made close to the scene, Superintendent Steve Brizell said: "The community of Blackbrook and the whole of Merseyside has woken up today to the most tragic news. Officers were called to attend a house here on Bidston Avenue, at around 3.50pm yesterday.
"We were called by the family of a 17-month-old girl Bella-Rae Birch. Bella-Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances and our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and the wider community at this devastating time."
He added: "At this stage we understand that the family dog they'd bought just a week earlier has attacked Bella-Rae inside the family home. Bella-Rae was taken by ambulance to hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts at police officers at the scene, the paramedics and doctors, sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries."
An investigation has been launched and police are working to find information on the background of the dog. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via social media @MerPolCC or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, with reference 22000196837. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111. You can also use their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
