The devastated family of a five-year-old girl from Warrington who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier-type dog has paid tribute to their little angel.
In a statement, her parents, who are originally from St Helens, said: "Ellie was always happy and smiling.
"She was a little angel, full of life and always running around. She loved her music and was a proper little girl, performing her routines and singing along with Beyonce and the X-factor.
"She was always sociable, playing with other children and chatting to neighbours. We had a great Christmas together, with her little brother, Josh, who Ellie doted on and thought she was a second mother too.
"She was an active little girl, she loved horse-riding and was looking forward to going ice-skating for the first time in the new year. We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone."
Ellie, a pupil at the privately run Tower College in Rainhill, was killed by the pit bull-type dog during the early hours of New Year's Day at her grandmother's house in Knowles House Avenue, St Helens.
Jackie Simpson, 46, had been babysitting Ellie for the youngster's parents, who had been out celebrating the New Year.
Ms Simpson suffered serious injuries to her arm and leg while pulling the one-year-old dog, called Reuben, away from Ellie.
Tests to establish the breed of the dog have been continuing today, while police and council officials have been holding talks to establish whether the animal has a violent background.
