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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Eleanor Barlow

Toddler killed by family’s new pet dog named

BellaRae Birch Peter Byrne Merseyside Police

A 17-month-old girl who died in “unimaginably terrible circumstances” after she was attacked by the family dog has been named by police.

Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital from her injuries after emergency services were called to her home in the Blackbrook area of St Helens at 3.50pm on Monday, Merseyside Police said.

Neighbours described trying to save the “beautiful” toddler after hearing her parents’ screams.

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