A MAJOR investigation is continuing today after a a five-year-old girl from Warrington was killed by a dog during the early hours of New Year's Day.
Ellie Lawrenson of Great Sankey was mauled to death by what police describe as a pit bull terrier-like dog at the living room of a terraced house in St Helens.
A post-mortem has revealed she died of severe head and neck injuries.
Her grandmother Jackie Simpson (46) also suffered serious injuries. She managed to pull the animal away from Ellie and shut it in an alleyway outside the house.
Ambulance crews were called to to the address at about 4.20am. Paramedics attempted to save Ellie's life but she died at the scene.
Armed police and dog handlers arrived at the house minutes later. The dog, believed to have been called Reuben, was shot dead by police.
Police say it is not clear at this stage why the dog attacked Ellie and her grandmother and an investigation is under way.
Police understand Ellie had been staying overnight at her grandmother's home, while her parents - who live in Warrington - went out to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Police sealed off a large area surrounding the house where the dog attack took place According to police, the parents, whose names have yet to be released, had returned to the house in the early hours, but Ellie had asked to stay with her grandmother.
Ellie's aunt and uncle also live at the St Helens address, although it is not clear whether they were home at the time of the attack.
Superintendent Jon Ward, from St Helens Police, said: "This is such a tragic incident. When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an effect on the whole community.
"I would reassure the public that there will be a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this young child's death.
"In such incidents, safety of the public and of police officers is of utmost importance and with that in mind, we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely.
"Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time."
Ms Simpson has undergone surgery in Whiston Hospital for arm and leg injuries and is in a stable condition.
