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| Attack dog owner carries coffin | Attack dog owner carries coffin |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The coffin of a five-year-old girl killed by a pit bull terrier was carried into church by the dog's owner. | The coffin of a five-year-old girl killed by a pit bull terrier was carried into church by the dog's owner. |
| Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by the animal at her grandmother's house in St Helens, Merseyside, on New Year's Day. | Ellie Lawrenson, five, was fatally mauled by the animal at her grandmother's house in St Helens, Merseyside, on New Year's Day. |
| The dog belonged to her uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, who also lives at the house. | The dog belonged to her uncle, 23-year-old Kiel Simpson, who also lives at the house. |
| Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers at Ellie's funeral at Eccleston Christ Church, St Helens, on Thursday. | Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers at Ellie's funeral at Eccleston Christ Church, St Helens, on Thursday. |
| The coffin arrived at the sandstone church on a white carriage, pulled by two white horses. | The coffin arrived at the sandstone church on a white carriage, pulled by two white horses. |
| About 60 mourners attended the funeral in St Helens | |
| Ellie's parents, Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, and Ellie's grandmother Jackie Simpson travelled to the service in black limousines, with Miss Simpson's siblings, Kiel and Kelsey. | Ellie's parents, Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, and Ellie's grandmother Jackie Simpson travelled to the service in black limousines, with Miss Simpson's siblings, Kiel and Kelsey. |
| Jackie Simpson was babysitting Ellie while her parents, who also have a baby son, went out to celebrate the New Year. | |
| About 60 mourners were in the church for the funeral. | About 60 mourners were in the church for the funeral. |
| Afterwards, the funeral cortege left for a private ceremony, understood to be a cremation. | |
| Kiel Simpson was questioned by police over Ellie's death but was not arrested. | |
| The animal, which was destroyed, was subsequently found to be among the breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. | The animal, which was destroyed, was subsequently found to be among the breeds prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. |