Police: Savage dog was pit bull
Ellie Lawrenson died after being savagely attacked by the dog
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Tuesday, 02, Jan 2007 08:19
The dog which mauled a five-year-old girl to death yesterday was a pit bull terrier, police have confirmed.
Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene of the attack despite attempts by her grandmother, 46-year-old Jackie Simpson, to stop the "pit bull terrier type" dog.
Now the type of dog has been established its owner could face prosecution under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, which states that owners are legally responsible for attacks carried out by certain pure-breed type dogs, including pit bulls.
"As soon as the investigation is completed, a report will be presented to the coroner and to the Crown Prosecution Service in terms of considering what offences, if any, have been committed," Merseyside police said in a statement released this evening.
"In terms of our investigations at the house, we are just at the stage of completing our work at the scene and we will hopefully be handing the property back to the family in the very near future."
Ms Simpson has yet to be questioned by police after undergoing surgery on her arm last night. She remains in Whiston hospital.
The pit bull in question had on two previous incidents come to the attention of Merseyside police, after it had attacked another dog and after a complaint was made about noise. Warning letters were sent to the dog's owners on both occasions.
"This is a tragic incident involving the loss of life of a little girl and our deepest sympathies are extended to her family at this difficult time," Merseyside police added.
Yesterday's death follows two incidents in September last year involving rottweilers in which a two-year-old boy was badly savaged and a five-month-old baby was dragged onto the roof of a pub before being mauled to death.