Pitbull Fatally Mauls 5 year old Girl

[barrychapman]

Owner of killer dog had been warned
David Byers and agencies

The owner of the dog that mauled a five-year-old girl to death in the early hours of New Year's Day was officially warned about its behaviour by the local council, it has been revealed.

Ellie Lawrenson was killed by the pitbull terrier-type dog called Reuben in the early hours of today despite attempts by her grandmother, in whose house she was staying, to save her.

The dog was owned by Ellie's uncle, named locally as Kiel Simpson. A spokeswoman for St Helens council confirmed that Mr Simpson had been sent a warning letter about his dog's behaviour in June last year after a neighbour complained the animal had attacked his dog.

"Police received a report on May 29, 2006, about the dog's behaviour, which was passed on to us at the council on May 31. A warning was sent out shortly after," she said.

Jackie Simpson, 46, had been baby-sitting her granddaughter while the mother, named locally as Lyndsay, was out celebrating new year. Mrs Simpson also suffered serious injuries in today's deadly assault, which happened in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. She is currently at Wiston Hospital receiving treatment for a badly injured arm and hand.

The incident has once again raised awareness about the threat caused by dangerous dogs that are not under proper control.

Superintendent Jon Ward, of Merseyside Police, confirmed that police were investigating whether any offence had been committed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

"It is important to stress that this animal was thought to be a pitbull terrier-type dog but it still needs to be examined to assess exactly what breed it was," he said.

"This has implications for the investigation, regarding whether any offences have been committed under the Dangerous Dogs Act."

Police officers were originally called to Mrs Simpson's house, in Knowles House Avenue, at 4.30am today, where they were accompanied by dog handlers and armed response officers. The dog was put down immediately and the house - along with much of the road - was then cordoned off for the afternoon as police launched forensic investigations.

Devastated family members flocked to the Eccleston house throughout today in order to see Ellie's body, which was eventually moved in mid-afternoon. They were seen leaving the house with their faces streaked with tears.

In a statement, Mr Ward said: "This is such a tragic incident. When a child loses her life in such circumstances, it has an affect 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.

"Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety of members of the public and of police officers. With that in mind, we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely.

[justine]

i hate dogs, i got bit by a dog, right in the face. i had 35 sitches. poor poor girl

[MED04]

I heard about this on another site that I frequent. One of the members there lives across the street from where this happened. She said she had noticed the dog showing agressive tendancies and kept her family away from that house and the dog. It is a horrible, tragic thing that has happened and my thoughts and prayers are with that little girl's family.

[louise]

how horrible. poor little girl

[NicoleRussell]

how sad!

[Yungair23]

This is all could have been prevented if the dog was trained and handled the correct way. I have no problems with putting the dog to sleep but i also think the owner should be charged with manslotor as the animal is under his control and he let it do this. Again its not pitbulls its the way they are raised usually in bad homes for bad things. Poor girl thats horrible non the less.

[DaveA]

Poor little girl, that's horrible

[MED04]

Originally Posted by yungair23

This is all could have been prevented if the dog was trained and handled the correct way. I have no problems with putting the dog to sleep but i also think the owner should be charged with manslotor as the animal is under his control and he let it do this. Again its not pitbulls its the way they are raised usually in bad homes for bad things. Poor girl thats horrible non the less.

Hindsight is always 20/20. I believe the investigation is still open as law enforcement researches "whether any offences have been committed under the Dangerous Dogs Act."