The baby suffered fatal injuries after being attacked by
the pet, which the family only bought a week earlier,
at a home in St Helens.
“A toddler has been mauled to death by a ‘stocky
Staffordshire terrier or Pitbull’.
Bella-Rae Birch was 17-months-old when she suffered
fatal injuries after being attacked by the pet, which
the family only bought a week earlier, at a home in St
Helens.
Shocked residents of Bidston Avenue in the town
spoke of their “utter devastation” after the horrific
incident.
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Locals in the “quiet” road fought back tears as they
fondly remembered watching the tot playing with her
brother.
Neighbour Joanne Matthews, 53, said: “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”.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said:
“They were a lovely family, and it’s just devastating
what has happened.
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“The dog had a stocky build, it was a Staffordshire
terrier or Pitbull, and it was fully grown. There was
only one.
“It’s devastating. This is a normally quiet street, and
the children would play in the street. The little girl, a
toddler, was always about. It’s a shame I won’t be
able to see that again.
“I don’t remember seeing anything at all until the
ambulance arrived. They were a very pleasant family,
with two kids.”