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| Four-year-old boy killed by dog | Four-year-old boy killed by dog |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A four-year-old boy has been mauled to death by a dog at the family home in Liverpool. | A four-year-old boy has been mauled to death by a dog at the family home in Liverpool. |
| The child was attacked at the property in Ash Grove, Wavertree, just after midnight. | |
| A 63-year-old woman was also injured and is being treated in hospital. It is believed she was hurt as she separated the dog from the child. | A 63-year-old woman was also injured and is being treated in hospital. It is believed she was hurt as she separated the dog from the child. |
| Merseyside Police said armed officers killed the animal in the front garden of the house. | Merseyside Police said armed officers killed the animal in the front garden of the house. |
| Dog handlers and armed response officers attended the scene and an investigation has begun. | Dog handlers and armed response officers attended the scene and an investigation has begun. |
| Efforts are continuing to identify the dog's breed. | Efforts are continuing to identify the dog's breed. |
| 'Agitated state' | 'Agitated state' |
| Ch Supt Steve Ashley said: "This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding this young boy's death. | Ch Supt Steve Ashley said: "This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding this young boy's death. |
| "Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time." | "Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time." |
| There are lots of dangerous-type dogs around here Gillian Watson, neighbour | There are lots of dangerous-type dogs around here Gillian Watson, neighbour |
| He added: "Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety of the public and of police officers. | He added: "Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety of the public and of police officers. |
| "When officers arrived at the address the dog was in an agitated state in the front garden of the property and was deemed to be a danger to the public. | "When officers arrived at the address the dog was in an agitated state in the front garden of the property and was deemed to be a danger to the public. |
| "As a result we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely." | "As a result we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely." |
| Police tape surrounded the house where the boy was attacked on Monday morning. | Police tape surrounded the house where the boy was attacked on Monday morning. |
| People spoke of their shock at the death but complained there had been a problem with so-called dangerous dogs in the area. | People spoke of their shock at the death but complained there had been a problem with so-called dangerous dogs in the area. |
| Gillian Watson, 46, who heard the gunshot that destroyed the dog, said: "It's such a terrible thing to happen to a family. | Gillian Watson, 46, who heard the gunshot that destroyed the dog, said: "It's such a terrible thing to happen to a family. |
| "There are lots of dangerous-type dogs around here. You always see young lads with pit bull dogs roaming around. | "There are lots of dangerous-type dogs around here. You always see young lads with pit bull dogs roaming around. |
| "I have a dog myself and when I take him for a walk sometimes it's quite terrifying because you think your dog is going to be attacked." | "I have a dog myself and when I take him for a walk sometimes it's quite terrifying because you think your dog is going to be attacked." |
| Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said residents had complained to the local Housing Association about the problem. | Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said residents had complained to the local Housing Association about the problem. |
| He said: "You see them all the time, they're huge animals and it is very threatening." | He said: "You see them all the time, they're huge animals and it is very threatening." |
| The attack comes nearly three years after the death of Ellie Lawrenson, a five-year-old killed by her uncle's pit bull terrier on New Year's Day 2007, just a few miles away in St Helens. | The attack comes nearly three years after the death of Ellie Lawrenson, a five-year-old killed by her uncle's pit bull terrier on New Year's Day 2007, just a few miles away in St Helens. |