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Funeral for fatal dog attack boy Funeral for fatal dog attack boy
(about 8 hours later)
A private funeral service is to take place later for a four-year-old boy who was killed by a pit bull dog in Merseyside. The funeral has taken place for a four-year-old boy who was killed by a pit bull dog, with the uncle arrested over his death carrying his coffin.
John Paul Massey was savaged by the dog at his grandmother's house last month in Wavertree. He is the fifth child to be killed by a dog in three years. John Paul Massey was savaged by the dog at his grandmother's house in Wavertree in Liverpool last month.
Christian Foulkes, suspected of being the owner of the dog, Uno, was alongside the boy's father, John, and two other pall bearers.
Mourners lined the street outside St Anne's Church in Liverpool.
Everton flags, in tribute to the youngster's favourite football team, and blue and white plumes festooned two white horses which pulled the carriage bearing John Paul's coffin to the church.
He always wore a smile and brightened up any room that he entered Charlotte MasseyJohn Paul's cousin
His white coffin was also embossed with the blue Everton crest and the four pall bearers all wore Everton shirts with John Paul's name and age on the back.
John Paul's mother, Angela McGlynn clutched a teddy and toys as she followed the coffin leading mourners into the church.
A card, from John Paul's uncle Christian, read: "If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane we would walk right up to heaven and bring you back again."
Charlotte Massey, a cousin of the youngster, said: "He always wore a smile and brightened up any room that he entered".
Father Peter Morgan said: "John Paul has gone before us, long before his time. He is at peace, in the embrace of God, knowing that he has only known love in his life, and will only know love for all eternity."
The hymn "Do not be afraid" was sung along with "I watch the sunrise."
Christian Foulkes was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
Foulkes, 21, was away training to join the army when the dog attacked while the boy was staying at the house of his grandmother, Helen Foulkes on 30 November.
Tests showed that the dog was a pit bull, banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, prompting the arrest of his uncle.
The dog was shot dead shortly after the attack on John Paul.
Merseyside Police has admitted earlier reports of dog breeding at the house in which he died were not acted upon.Merseyside Police has admitted earlier reports of dog breeding at the house in which he died were not acted upon.
The funeral is at St Anne's Church in Overbury Street, Liverpool, at midday.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is currently investigating the force.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is currently investigating the force.
The pit bull was shot dead shortly after the attack. Christian Foulkes is on bail until March next year.
The four-year-old's uncle has since been arrested and bailed on suspicion of manslaughter.