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Family devastated by girl's death Family devastated by girl's death
(about 2 hours later)
The family of a five-year-old girl killed by her uncle's dog say they are "absolutely devastated" by her death.The family of a five-year-old girl killed by her uncle's dog say they are "absolutely devastated" by her death.
Ellie Lawrenson died of severe head and neck injuries after being mauled at her grandmother's house in St Helens.Ellie Lawrenson died of severe head and neck injuries after being mauled at her grandmother's house in St Helens.
In a statement, Ellie's family described her as a "little angel" who "doted" on her younger brother.In a statement, Ellie's family described her as a "little angel" who "doted" on her younger brother.
Police and council officials met to discuss the dog, described as a pit bull terrier-type, and confirmed they had received two complaints about it. Post-mortem tests showed the dog was a pit bull terrier-type breed, prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act. Two previous complaints had been made about the pet.
"Ellie was always happy and smiling. She was a little angel, full of life and always running around," they said. Supt Jon Ward, of Merseyside Police, said: "An assessment has been made by a recognised expert on the Dangerous Dogs Act, from the Metropolitan Police, and he has confirmed that the dog was a pit bull terrier type.
"The results of this post-mortem will now be included in the investigation and we will be speaking to all family members about the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.
She was a little angel, full of life and always running around Ellie Lawrenson's family Send us your comments
"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."
The girl's family issued a statement in which they said: "Ellie was always happy and smiling.
"She was a little angel, full of life and always running around.
"We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother to."We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother to.
When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community Supt Jon Ward Send us your comments
"We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone.""We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone."
Officers said the family were all together to comfort one another following Ellie's death.
Officers from Merseyside Police and St Helens Council are waiting to determine whether the dog is a breed which falls under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The 1991 Act imposed conditions on the ownership of four types of dog.
A post-mortem examination of the 12-month-old dog, which the family had owned since it was a puppy, is also being carried out.
It has emerged that the dog's owner, Ellie's uncle, was warned by St Helens Council last June about the animal's behaviour after it attacked another dog.
A second letter was sent after the council received a complaint about the dog's barking.
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Several neighbours claimed the dog had violent tendencies and one man, who did not want to be named, said he had been attacked by the animal.
Police found Ellie in the living room of the property in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, shortly before 0430 GMT on Monday.Police found Ellie in the living room of the property in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, shortly before 0430 GMT on Monday.
Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, had managed to lock the dog outside but suffered injuries to tendons in her arm, and wounds to her thumb and elbow.Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, had managed to lock the dog outside but suffered injuries to tendons in her arm, and wounds to her thumb and elbow.
She was taken to Whiston Hospital and underwent emergency surgery but is now said to be in a stable condition.She was taken to Whiston Hospital and underwent emergency surgery but is now said to be in a stable condition.
The dog was shot dead at the scene by a police marksman. href="/1/hi/uk/6222689.stm" class="">Pit bulls and the law href="/1/hi/northern_ireland/6224009.stm" class="">Pit bull amnesty starts
Police have yet to speak to her about what happened.
The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act imposed conditions on the ownership of four types of dog.
It has emerged that the dog's owner, Ellie's uncle, was warned by St Helens Council last June about the animal's behaviour after it attacked another dog.
A second letter was sent after the council received a complaint about the dog's barking.
Several neighbours claimed the dog had violent tendencies and one man, who did not want to be named, said he had been attacked by the animal.
The dog was shot dead by a police marksman at the house.
Police said Ellie had been staying with her grandmother after her parents had been out to celebrate New Year's Eve.Police said Ellie had been staying with her grandmother after her parents had been out to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Supt John Ward, of Merseyside Police, said: "This is such a tragic incident. When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community."