Poor family my daughter is five the same as this little girl and i can only imagine how heartbroken they are.
The family of a five-year-old girl mauled to death by a dog paid a moving tribute to her today as police investigated whether the animal was being kept illegally.
Ellie Lawrenson was killed by her uncle?s pitbull-type terrier despite desperate attempts by her grandmother to save her on New Year?s Day.
Her uncle, Kiel Simpson, could be arrested later today if the animal is found to be an unregistered type of pitbull terrier. Her family said that they were "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy.
In a statement released through Merseyside Police, Ellie?s relatives, 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 to 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 to.
"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 had recently moved into the reception class of Tower College, a private school in Rainhill and her school report said: "Ellie is a happy little girl, who mixes well with other children ....she is a popular member of her class."
A post-mortem examination will take place today to find out if the animal was a breed subject to the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The dog, named Reuben, which is just over a year old and had been owned by the family since it was a puppy, was destroyed by police marksmen at the grandmother's house where the attack took place in Eccleston, near St Helens.
Owners of pure-bred pitbull terriers can be legally to blame for attacks made by them under the provisions of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act.
If the dog is found to be a pure-bred pitbull, or to have the characteristics of a pitbull, then Mr Simpson, as the owner, could be held legally responsible if the dog is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs.
According to Chris Laurence, veterinary director of the Dogs Trust, if a registered dog attacks someone in its owner?s home then the owner has not broken the law.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said today: "The investigation is continuing today and determining the precise breed of the dog involved is a priority.
"There is a possibility that an arrest could be made and charges brought."
The Government has taken several steps to legislate against those who breed and trade dangerous dogs, as well as those who own them. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is the most prominent of the various laws, including the 1871 and 1989 Dangerous Dogs Act.
Section one of the 1991 Act bans the breeding and sale or exchange of four kinds of dog - the pitbull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the Dogo Argentino, and the Fila Brasileiro.
It also bans any other dog "appearing... to be bred for fighting or to have the characteristics of a type bred for that purpose".
A dog does not have to be a pure breed of one of the four named breeds, but can be a cross breed, for example, it could look or act predominantly like a pitbull. Officers at Merseyside have recently been trained to identify types of dog.
Possession of a prohibited dog can result in a maximum fine of ?5,000 and/or six months jail, but this can rise to two years if the dog injures someone. The dog may also be destroyed.
Banned dogs can only be exempted from a destruction order if a court agrees and strict conditions are met. But any dog that behaves dangerously can be seized and destroyed.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police explained that it is an offence to own a pitbull terrier that has not been registered.
The dog must be neutered, tattooed and microchipped, and must be kept on a lead and muzzled when in a public place.
Other pieces of legislation covering dogs include the Animals Act 1971, which says the keeper of an animal is liable for any damage it causes, the Guard Dogs Act 1975 and the Dogs Act 1871.
The Animal Welfare Bill, which is going through Parliament at the moment, will also include codes of practice for keeping dogs.
Just over 1,000 American Pit Bulls are owned legally under the Dangerous Dogs Act in England, according to figures released in September.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2527232,00.html
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