Bella-Rae Birch:- Dog that killed toddler was legal American Bully XL

Police confirmed that a small child beaten in his own house was killed by the American dog Bully XL

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Bella-Ree Birch, 17 months old, died at the hospital after an attack in ST helens on Monday at 15:50 GMT

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Police in Merseyside said the child was attacked just a week after his family bought the Dog

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Tests revealed that the dog was a legal breed and, in addition to strength

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was not subject to the ban under the Dangerous Dogs Act, of 1991.

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Currently, four dog breeds are banned in the United Kingdom - pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Great Dane and Brasileiro.

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The attack took place in a family home on Bidston Avenue in the Blackbrook area of St Helens

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A neighbour said the child's parents were "hysterical"

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We left school and heard screams. I just ran to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over, he said

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I didn't see the dog, I just focused on helping the baby.

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Detectives said the force was continuing to investigate the child's death and called on anyone with the information to report

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In a statement after her death, the Bella-Rae family said they "want to thank the community for their support"

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"We ask that we now have some space and time to try to cope with the terrible loss of our beloved Bella-Rae," she added.

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