Fatal Dog Attack

A four-year-old boy from Liverpool has died after being attacked by a dog in the early hours of the morning at a house in Wavertree.

Merseyside Police said the child suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.

A 63-year-old woman, who was hurt as she separated the dog from the child, was taken to hospital for treatment.

Dog handlers and armed response officers attended the house in Ashgrove at 12.24am.

Following a safety assessment the animal was destroyed. Police are now trying to identify the type of dog involved.

Chief Superintendent Steve Ashley said: "This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding this young boy's death.

"Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time. Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety of the public and of police officers.

"When officers arrived at the address the dog was in an agitated state in the front garden of the property and was deemed to be a danger to the public. As a result we were left with no other option but to have the animal destroyed quickly and humanely."

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Katrina Elsey from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “This is another tragic dog attack to a young innocent child. I urge owners of dogs to ensure that dogs are kept away from children unless an adult is supervising at all times. What we have to remember is that all dogs no matter what type of breed can bite which can leave everlasting devastating effects upon families.”