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02/01/2007
Investigation continues into dog attack
Police are continuing an investigation into a dog attack in Merseyside, which killed a five-year-old girl.
Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pitbull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, in the early hours of January 1.
Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack, which took place around 4:30am on Monday morning.
Mrs Simpson had managed to separate the dog from Ellie and put it into a secure area at the side of the house by the time police arrived. However, Ellie died at the scene. Post-mortem results revealed that she suffered severe head and neck injuries.
Mrs Simpson suffered damage to tendons in her arms and severe damage to her thumb and elbow. She underwent surgery in hospital and is in a stable condition.
The dog, which is understood to belong to Ellie's uncle, who also lives at the same address, was destroyed at the scene after it was determined that it could not be safely handled, controlled or removed.
According to reports, St Helens Council had warned the dog's owner about its behaviour last June.
It was also reported that police had received complaints about the dog.
On Tuesday, Ellie's family released a statement which described her as a "little angel" who was always "full of life and always running around".
Forensic examinations are continuing at the scene and the dog is also being examined as part of the investigation and in a bid to determine if the dog is a pure-breed pitbull.
Under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, owners of pure-breed pitbull terriers can be prosecuted for attacks made by their dogs.
Commenting on the incident, Superintendent Jon Ward from Merseyside Police, said: "Ellie's family have been left extremely traumatised by her death. It is such a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with them as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened."
(KMcA)
Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pitbull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, in the early hours of January 1.
Ellie's grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack, which took place around 4:30am on Monday morning.
Mrs Simpson had managed to separate the dog from Ellie and put it into a secure area at the side of the house by the time police arrived. However, Ellie died at the scene. Post-mortem results revealed that she suffered severe head and neck injuries.
Mrs Simpson suffered damage to tendons in her arms and severe damage to her thumb and elbow. She underwent surgery in hospital and is in a stable condition.
The dog, which is understood to belong to Ellie's uncle, who also lives at the same address, was destroyed at the scene after it was determined that it could not be safely handled, controlled or removed.
According to reports, St Helens Council had warned the dog's owner about its behaviour last June.
It was also reported that police had received complaints about the dog.
On Tuesday, Ellie's family released a statement which described her as a "little angel" who was always "full of life and always running around".
Forensic examinations are continuing at the scene and the dog is also being examined as part of the investigation and in a bid to determine if the dog is a pure-breed pitbull.
Under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, owners of pure-breed pitbull terriers can be prosecuted for attacks made by their dogs.
Commenting on the incident, Superintendent Jon Ward from Merseyside Police, said: "Ellie's family have been left extremely traumatised by her death. It is such a tragic incident and our thoughts and sympathies are with them as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened."
(KMcA)
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Click here for the latest headlines.
16 May 2007
Uncle jailed for owning killer dog
The uncle of a girl who died after being mauled by his dog has been jailed for eight weeks. Kiel Simpson, 23, had pleaded guilty to owning a pit bull - banned under the Dangerous Dog Act - last month.
Uncle jailed for owning killer dog
The uncle of a girl who died after being mauled by his dog has been jailed for eight weeks. Kiel Simpson, 23, had pleaded guilty to owning a pit bull - banned under the Dangerous Dog Act - last month.
11 September 2007
Grandmother Cleared Over Child Dog Attack Death
The grandmother of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier on New Year's Day, has been cleared of her manslaughter. Jacqueline Simpson, 45, had been looking after Ellie at her home in St Helens in Merseyside at the time of the attack.
Grandmother Cleared Over Child Dog Attack Death
The grandmother of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier on New Year's Day, has been cleared of her manslaughter. Jacqueline Simpson, 45, had been looking after Ellie at her home in St Helens in Merseyside at the time of the attack.
03 January 2007
Killer dog was 'pitbull type'
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside was a pitbull terrier type breed, tests have confirmed. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, in the early hours of January 1.
Killer dog was 'pitbull type'
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside was a pitbull terrier type breed, tests have confirmed. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in Knowles House Avenue, Eccleston, St Helens, in the early hours of January 1.
09 January 2007
Killer dog tested for drugs
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside on New Year's Day has been tested for illegal drugs. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pit bull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens. Her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack.
Killer dog tested for drugs
The dog which attacked and killed a five-year-old girl in Merseyside on New Year's Day has been tested for illegal drugs. Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the pit bull terrier-type dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens. Her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, was also injured during the attack.
25 April 2007
Uncle pleads guilty to owning killer dog
The uncle of a five-year-old girl who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier has pleaded guilty to owning a dangerous dog. Ellie Lawrenson died after being attacked by the dog at her grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson's home in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of New Year's Day. She suffered fatal head and neck injuries in the attack.
Uncle pleads guilty to owning killer dog
The uncle of a five-year-old girl who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier has pleaded guilty to owning a dangerous dog. Ellie Lawrenson died after being attacked by the dog at her grandmother, Jacqueline Simpson's home in St Helens, Merseyside, in the early hours of New Year's Day. She suffered fatal head and neck injuries in the attack.
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