The family of a baby girl killed in a dog attack have issued a tribute following her death.
Bella-Rae Birch died after being mauled by a dog at her home, at around 3.50pm yesterday, on Monday, March 21. Paramedics and police were called to Bidston Avenue, in St Helens, to help.
The 17-month-old was rushed to hospital but died from her injuries a short time later. Police reported Bella-Rae's family had bought the dog just a week before the attack.
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Her family issued a tribute to Bella-Rae through Merseyside police, they 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 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."
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).
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 us via our social media desk @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.
