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/8389013.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 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 "pitbull terrier-type", a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act. A criminal investigation has begun. | Merseyside Police said the dog was a "pitbull 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 that residents had complained about suspected dog breeding but was told it was not a police matter. | In February a housing officer told police that 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. |
| Deputy Chief Constable Patricia Gallan said a criminal investigation is under way | |
| 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. |
| The 63-year-old suffered dog bites to her legs and body, but has since been discharged from hospital. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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 pitbull terriers at the house where the attack took place. | 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 pitbull 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." | "This is clearly unacceptable and we are sorry that Merseyside Police did not take the appropriate course of action at that time." |
| Naseem Malik, IPCC commissioner for the North West, said John Paul's death was "a terrible tragedy". | Naseem Malik, IPCC commissioner for the North West, said John Paul's death was "a terrible tragedy". |
| John Paul's mother left a message to her son on flowers outside the house | John Paul's mother left a message to her son on flowers outside the house |
| "My heartfelt sympathies go out to John Paul's family," she said. | "My heartfelt sympathies go out to John Paul's family," she said. |
| "I fully appreciate the concern felt on Merseyside and around the country about the issue of dangerous dogs. We need to determine exactly what went wrong in this case to ensure lessons can be learned for the future." | "I fully appreciate the concern felt on Merseyside and around the country about the issue of dangerous dogs. We need to determine exactly what went wrong in this case to ensure lessons can be learned for the future." |
| Earlier, John Paul's mother, Angela, left a floral tribute outside the house. | Earlier, John Paul's mother, Angela, left a floral tribute outside the house. |
| Her message read: "My beautiful, beautiful boy, an angel who will never be forgotten." | Her message read: "My beautiful, beautiful boy, an angel who will never be forgotten." |
| "I just can't believe this has happened to my baby, my beautiful little boy. | "I just can't believe this has happened to my baby, my beautiful little boy. |
| "I will love you forever and a day. I miss you, baby. Lotsa love, Mummy xxx." | "I will love you forever and a day. I miss you, baby. Lotsa love, Mummy xxx." |