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14-year-old girl found dead in house with 'aggressive' dogs 14-year-old girl found dead in house with 'aggressive' dogs
(about 1 hour later)
A 14-year-old girl has been found dead in a house in Greater Manchester where police also found five dogs "aggressive and out of control". A 14-year-old girl has been found dead in a house in Greater Manchester where a pack of five dogs were said to be "aggressive and out of control".
Officers arrived at the property in Atherton, Wigan at around 2pm and found the body of the girl and were confronted by the animals, four of which were "humanly destroyed" according to police. A fifth was safely captured and is being held by police. Jade Lomas-Anderson is believed to have been visiting the property in Atherton, Wigan where she was found alone with injuries were "consistent with her having been attacked by dogs".
It is not yet known what breed the dogs were and further details of the victim's identity have not yet been disclosed. The dogs' remains will now be examined as part of the investigation. Police were called to the address shortly after 2pm on Tuesday after reports that a pack of dogs was out of control and a girl had been seen unconscious. Armed police destroyed four of the dogs, containing a fifth.
Superintendent Mark Kenny said it was "too early to speculate" about what had happened in the house. Officers, a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance went to the house but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed they "humanely destroyed" four of the dogs, whose remains will now be examined as part of a police investigation. A fifth was safely captured and is being held by police.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life," he said. The breed of the dogs has not yet been confirmed but two are thought to have been bull mastiffs while the two others were Staffordshire bull terriers.
"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that lead to this tragedy." Superintendent Mark Kenny said it was "too early to speculate" about what had happened in the house. "First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life," he said.
"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy."
A "significant police presence would remain in the area through the afternoon and evening he said.A "significant police presence would remain in the area through the afternoon and evening he said.
"We will be there to carry out an investigation and address any concerns residents may have. It would be too early for us to speculate about what has happened, and further information will be released when it becomes available.""We will be there to carry out an investigation and address any concerns residents may have. It would be too early for us to speculate about what has happened, and further information will be released when it becomes available."
The incident is likely to reignite the debate about control of potentially dangerous dogs. The incident is likely to reignite the debate about control of potentially dangerous dogs.Four-year-old John Paul Massey was killed by a violent family dog at a home in Liverpool in 2009. Last November a week-old boy died after being bitten by his family's pet dog in Shropshire.
Four-year-old John Paul Massey was killed by a violent family dog at a home in Liverpool in 2009. Last November a week-old boy died after being bitten by his family's pet dog in Shropshire.
In February this year MPs strongly criticised the government for "inaction" over dog attacks and poor animal welfare. A cross-party committee of MPs said current laws "comprehensively failed" to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.In February this year MPs strongly criticised the government for "inaction" over dog attacks and poor animal welfare. A cross-party committee of MPs said current laws "comprehensively failed" to tackle irresponsible dog ownership.
Proposals were published in February to introduce compulsory dog microchipping in England, and extend the law so that owners could be prosecuted if their dog attacks an individual on private property, were "belated" and "woefully inadequate". Proposals published in February to introduce compulsory dog microchipping in England, and extend the law so that owners could be prosecuted if their dog attacks an individual on private property, were "belated" and "woefully inadequate", according to the select committee on environment, food and rural affairs called for the environment department (Defra) .
Tory MP Anne McIntosh, who chairs the select committee, said Defra's proposals were too limited. "The home office approach to tackling antisocial behaviour is too simplistic and fails to reflect the impact that poor breeding and training by irresponsible owners can have on a dog's behaviour," she said. "New rules should give enforcement officers more effective powers, including dog control notices, to prevent dog-related antisocial behaviour. Local authorities need to devote more resources to the effective management of stray dogs." According to the Defra website there are approximately 8 million dogs in the UK and "incidents involving dangerous dogs" are on the rise with eight children and six adults have been killed in dog attacks since 2005. Five of the victims were children under the age of four years.
Current legislation does not protect children in their homes or people who have to visit private properties such as healthcare, postal and professional utility workers.