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Blackburn baby girl killed by 'American pit bull-type' pet dog Blackburn baby girl killed by 'American pit bull-type' pet dog
(35 minutes later)
An 11-month-old baby girl was mauled to death in bed by an "American pit bull-type" dog in Lancashire, police said. An 11-month-old baby girl was mauled to death upstairs in bed by an "American pit bull-type" dog, police have said.
Ava Jayne Marie Corless was taken to hospital from Emily Street, Blackburn, at 23:00 GMT on Monday where she died.Ava Jayne Marie Corless was taken to hospital from Emily Street, Blackburn, at 23:00 GMT on Monday where she died.
A 20-year-old woman, understood to be the baby's mother, and her boyfriend, aged 26, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The baby's mother aged 20 and her boyfriend, 26, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. They were downstairs when she was attacked.
The baby was not at her home address when she was attacked. The pet has been destroyed by police. Ava was not at her home address at the time. The pet, classed as a dangerous dog, has been destroyed.
Police said the two people who were arrested were downstairs at the time of the incident. A post-mortem examination will take place to find out the exact cause of Ava's death.
'Lovely little girl' 'Horrific incident'
During a press conference, Ch Supt Chris Bithell said the dog was an "American pit bull-type", which is classed as a dangerous dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. During a press conference, Ch Supt Chris Bithell said the dog was an "American pit bull-type" which came under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Det Supt Simon Giles said: "This is a tragic incident and specially-trained officers are offering support to the wider family and a full investigation is under way." Mr Bithell said: "This is an absolutely horrific incident in which a baby girl has lost her life."
No-one else was injured during the attack, police said. Police were first alerted by the ambulance service who were called to reports of the girl being mauled by a pet dog.
Tests will now be carried out to establish the exact breed.
"I'm told it's quite a large pit bull-type dog," Mr Bithell said.
"As part of the investigation we are making inquiries to see whether there have been previous issues with this particular dog," he added.
No-one else was injured during the attack.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "She was a lovely little girl, always smiling, always happy, just like her mum.A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "She was a lovely little girl, always smiling, always happy, just like her mum.
"It's sickened me to my stomach.""It's sickened me to my stomach."
The two people arrested remain in police custody for questioning. The two people arrested remain in custody for questioning.