Bella-Rae Birch, 1, was killed ‘by American Bully dad bought that even an adult wouldn’t have stood a chance against’
LITTLE Bella-Rae Birch was killed by an American Bully dog that her dad bought a week ago, it's been claimed.
The one-year-old was mauled to death by the hound that "even an adult wouldn't have stood a chance against," it's claimed.
It's alleged that the fully-grown brown American Bully was bought by dad Ryan Birch from a mate a week ago "for buttons."
Bella-Rae was killed by the family's pet dog in St Helens, Merseyside, and died in hospital from her horrific injuries on Monday evening.
One local told MailOnline: "Even an adult wouldn’t stand a chance against a dog like that."
The breed of the killer dog, which has since been put down, has not been confirmed by police.
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Bella-Rae's devastated family paid tribute to the "much-loved" tot- while neighbours described the tragedy as they rushed to help save the little girl.
And the family are now for her funeral, with her mum paying tribute to her "blue-eyed baby girl" as they released a new snap of Bella-Rae.
They've so far raised £2,300 in tributes to the tragic girl.
Disaster struck on Monday afternoon when the 17-month-old was savaged by the family's out-of-control dog.
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Emergency services rushed to the home in Blackbrook, St Helens, just before 4pm Monday.
The tot was found with serious injuries following the vicious dog attack - and little Bella-Rae was taken to hospital.
But the toddler tragically died of her injuries a short time later.
Speaking yesterday, Bella-Rae's heartbroken family said: "As a family, we would like to thank the community for their support.
"We would ask that we are now allowed some space and time to try and come to terms with the tragic loss of our much-loved Bella-Rae.
"She will be sadly missed but never forgotten."
Police confirmed the hound was seized by police and then humanely destroyed following the savage attack.
An investigation is now underway to find out who the previous owner of the dog was.
And cops are looking into whether the dog was an illegal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).
Eye-witnesses yesterday described seeing the Staffordshire terrier-type dog being taken away from the house.
One eye-witness Linda-Birchall, 61, described seeing the “devastated” and “inconsolable” family shortly after the attack.
She said: “They were all in the square outside.
“They looked devastated and inconsolable. It’s such a terrible thing to happen.”
And a neighbour, who is set to train as a paramedic, said: "We pulled up from school and heard screaming.
"I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over.
TRAGIC TOT
"The baby wasn’t well. I tried to help her. I started CPR, which I did for around 30 seconds. It was just myself."
Another neighbour Joanne Matthews, 53, described the girl, named locally as Bella-Rae Birch, as a “beautiful little girl”.
She said she’d seen an ambulance and police cars outside the family on Monday before the dog was brought out.
Joanne said: ”I saw them bring the dog out.
“I couldn't tell what breed it was but from the back it looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier or pitbull.
"She was such a beautiful little girl, toddling about.
"I'd see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant."
At a press conference outside the home yesterday, Merseyside Police Superintendent Steve Brizell said: "Bella-Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances and our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and the wider community at this devastating time.
'DEVASTATED'
"Our specialist family liaison officers are providing the family of Bella- Rae with support, and officers will remain in the area in the coming days to provide further reassurance and support for the wider community.
"At this stage we understand the family dog they bought just a week earlier has attacked Bella-Rae inside the family home.
"Bella-Rae was taken by ambulance to hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts of police officers at the scene and the paramedics and doctors, sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries yesterday afternoon.
"It’s left the family and the community grieving and in complete shock.
"During the incident, the dog was handed over to police at the address and has been humanely destroyed.
"Detailed investigations are continuing into this tragic event, forensic examines to determine the dog’s breed are ongoing and we are working to identify the previous owners of the dog so we can establish its history.
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"We want to continue to support the family and the local community, and officers will remain at the scene on Bidston Avenue during the day today."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via the social media desk @MerPolCC or 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, with reference 22000196837.