This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8387229.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Boy's death leaves community shocked Boy's death leaves community shocked
(about 17 hours later)
By Ruth Clegg Wavertree, LiverpoolBy Ruth Clegg Wavertree, Liverpool
The death of four-year-old John Paul Massey, who was mauled by a dog at his grandmother's home, has left the community in Wavertree, Liverpool, reeling.The death of four-year-old John Paul Massey, who was mauled by a dog at his grandmother's home, has left the community in Wavertree, Liverpool, reeling.
"He was such a lovely, lovely little boy, the teachers are absolutely devastated, they were in tears when we arrived at school today," said Julie Denham, whose daughter attends St Clare's Roman Catholic School."He was such a lovely, lovely little boy, the teachers are absolutely devastated, they were in tears when we arrived at school today," said Julie Denham, whose daughter attends St Clare's Roman Catholic School.
John Paul Massey was a "cheerful, friendly little boy"John Paul Massey was a "cheerful, friendly little boy"
"They had pulled his school tray out with his name on and then realised he wouldn't be coming into school today or ever again."They had pulled his school tray out with his name on and then realised he wouldn't be coming into school today or ever again.
"All the teachers have been crying. He was so playful and lovely, he was only talking about Christmas time last time I saw him.""All the teachers have been crying. He was so playful and lovely, he was only talking about Christmas time last time I saw him."
Ms Denham said she had known John-Paul's mother Angie since they were pregnant at the same time.Ms Denham said she had known John-Paul's mother Angie since they were pregnant at the same time.
"I can't imagine how his mother must be feeling, she must be traumatised," she added."I can't imagine how his mother must be feeling, she must be traumatised," she added.
John-Paul had started his first year at the school in September.John-Paul had started his first year at the school in September.
The head teacher Michael Hennessey described him as "a friendly, cheerful little boy who was bright and enthusiastic in everything he did".The head teacher Michael Hennessey described him as "a friendly, cheerful little boy who was bright and enthusiastic in everything he did".
'Dangerous dogs''Dangerous dogs'
His life was cut short just after midnight on Monday when he was killed by a dog. His grandmother Helen Foullkes, 63, and his 13-year-old brother fought to save him but both were injured in the attack. His life was cut short just after midnight on Monday when he was killed by a dog. His grandmother Helen Foulkes, 63, and his 13-year-old brother fought to save him but both were injured in the attack.
Police said Ms Foulkes had been looking after John-Paul at her home in Ash Grove while his mother went to work.Police said Ms Foulkes had been looking after John-Paul at her home in Ash Grove while his mother went to work.
Ron Tyrer heard the shots being fired outside the homeRon Tyrer heard the shots being fired outside the home
The force has begun a further inquiry after admitting it received a report of dogs being bred at the house in February but failed to take any action.The force has begun a further inquiry after admitting it received a report of dogs being bred at the house in February but failed to take any action.
Ms Foulkes' next-door neighbour, who was too upset to give her name, said John-Paul was a "good friend" of her young son and she "could not believe it".Ms Foulkes' next-door neighbour, who was too upset to give her name, said John-Paul was a "good friend" of her young son and she "could not believe it".
Maureen Harrison, who has lived in the area for the past 64 years, said it was the "most horrific thing" she could remember happening in the area.Maureen Harrison, who has lived in the area for the past 64 years, said it was the "most horrific thing" she could remember happening in the area.
"I was so shocked when I heard, it is absolutely disgusting," she said."I was so shocked when I heard, it is absolutely disgusting," she said.
"I love dogs, I lost my two Chihuahuas seven weeks ago and I haven't stopped crying. But saying that, things like this happening puts life into perspective."I love dogs, I lost my two Chihuahuas seven weeks ago and I haven't stopped crying. But saying that, things like this happening puts life into perspective.
"There are so many gangs with dangerous dogs round here, they hang around on street corners intimidating people."There are so many gangs with dangerous dogs round here, they hang around on street corners intimidating people.
"They have tried to attack my dogs in the past - it is sick.""They have tried to attack my dogs in the past - it is sick."
Ron Tyrer, who is in her 60s and has lived on Ash Grove all her life, said she thought she heard the police destroying the dog in the early hours.Ron Tyrer, who is in her 60s and has lived on Ash Grove all her life, said she thought she heard the police destroying the dog in the early hours.
"I heard a series of bangs just after midnight which could have been the dog getting shot," she said."I heard a series of bangs just after midnight which could have been the dog getting shot," she said.
"The next thing we know, the street is cordoned off and we hear on the news a little boy is dead - so sudden and so tragic.""The next thing we know, the street is cordoned off and we hear on the news a little boy is dead - so sudden and so tragic."