Police Officers in high-visibility jackets at the roadside

Merseyside Police is investigating an incident in Wavertree in the early hours of this morning (Monday, 30 November) in which a young child suffered fatal injuries following a dog attack.

The emergency services were called at 00.24am to reports of a 4-year-old boy being attacked by a dog at a family address on Ash Grove Road, Wavertree.

The child suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. A 63-year-old woman, who it is believed to have suffered injuries as she separated the dog from the child, was taken to hospital where she is currently being treated.

Dog handlers and armed response officers attended the scene and, after an initial safety assessment, it was decided that the dog be destroyed. An assessment to establish the type of dog involved is ongoing.

Chief Superintendent Steve Ashley, said: "This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out in to 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."

Extensive investigations are continuing into the incident.

Update

Following extensive examinations and a post mortem an independent expert has confirmed that, in his opinion, the dog involved in the incident in Ash Grove, Wavertree yesterday is a pit bull terrier type dog which is classified as a dangerous dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991).

Further forensic tests on the dog are still being carried out and investigations into the attack are ongoing.

T/Deputy Chief Constable, Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police said:

'Our thoughts remain with John Paul's family at this time following his tragic death.

'A child's life has been lost and it is essential that we determine the exact circumstances surrounding the attack. Investigations into the incident are continuing. Ascertaining the type of dog involved in this attack has been a complex issue. It has taken some time to complete the examinations and post mortem before we have been able to confirm that it is an illegal type of dog. We are conducting a criminal investigation.

'On behalf of Merseyside Police, I am deeply concerned and very disappointed that our policy was not followed in February when we received a call alerting us to the possible breeding of pit bull terriers at the house where the attack took place. This is clearly unacceptable and we are sorry that Merseyside Police did not take the appropriate course of action at that time. As a matter of urgency we began an immediate internal investigation to establish exactly what led to that call not being brought to the attention of our specialist dog unit.

'Given the seriousness of this situation, and our failure to follow our own procedure, we have referred this case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission who will be carrying out an independent investigation.

'We take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously and there is no place for them on the streets of Merseyside. During the last three years we have taken action to take dangerous dogs off the streets. We are determined to continue our work to ensure the safety of people living, working and visiting Merseyside. I would urge anyone who has concerns about a dangerous dog to contact us. '