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| Fatal attack dog 'illegal breed' | Fatal attack dog 'illegal breed' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The dog that mauled a four-year-old boy to death in Liverpool was an illegal breed, police have confirmed. | The dog that mauled a four-year-old boy to death in Liverpool was an illegal breed, police have confirmed. |
| John Paul Massey died from head and neck injuries in the attack at his grandmother's home in Wavertree. | John Paul Massey died from head and neck injuries in the attack at his grandmother's home in Wavertree. |
| Merseyside Police said the dog was a "pit bull terrier type", a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. A criminal investigation has begun. | Merseyside Police said the dog was a "pit bull terrier type", a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. A criminal investigation has begun. |
| The force has apologised after reports of dog breeding at the Ash Grove property were not followed up. | The force has apologised after reports of dog breeding at the Ash Grove property were not followed up. |
| In February a housing officer told police residents had complained about suspected dog breeding but was told it was not a police matter. | In February a housing officer told police residents had complained about suspected dog breeding but was told it was not a police matter. |
| The animal also savaged the child's grandmother, Helen Foulkes, as she tried to protect the boy she was babysitting in the early hours of Monday. | The animal also savaged the child's grandmother, Helen Foulkes, as she tried to protect the boy she was babysitting in the early hours of Monday. |
| The dog was shot dead by armed officers after Ms Foulkes managed to get it out of the house. | The dog was shot dead by armed officers after Ms Foulkes managed to get it out of the house. |
| John Paul's grandmother was hurt trying to stop the attack | |
| The 63-year-old suffered dog bites to her legs and body, but has since been discharged from hospital. | |
| Deputy Chief Constable Patricia Gallan said establishing the breed of the dog had been "a complex issue". | Deputy Chief Constable Patricia Gallan said establishing the breed of the dog had been "a complex issue". |
| "It has taken some time to complete the examinations and post mortem before we have been able to confirm that it is an illegal type of dog," she said. | |
| "We are conducting a criminal investigation." | |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has confirmed it is investigating why the dog breeding reports were not followed up. | |
| Deputy Chief Constable Gallan said: "On behalf of Merseyside Police, I am deeply concerned and very disappointed that our policy was not followed in February when we received a call alerting us to the possible breeding of pit bull terriers at the house where the attack took place. | |
| "This is clearly unacceptable and we are sorry that Merseyside Police did not take the appropriate course of action at that time." |