17-Month-Old Baby Dies After Being Attacked By New Pet Dog; Canine Euthanized

In a shocking incident, a 17-month-old baby in England died after being attacked by a dog at her home.

Local media reports said it had been only a week since the family, which lived in St Helens, a large town in Merseyside, got the pet.

The Merseyside police were called to the address on Bidston Avenue with reports that the girl had been mauled. When emergency services arrived at the scene, they found the baby girl seriously injured. She was immediately rushed to a hospital; however, the doctors were unable to save her life.

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child’s family at this devastating time," detective inspector Lisa Milligan said, according to the Evening Standard.

The dog was put down by the police, media reports said.

Authorities said they would conduct a forensic examination to determine the dog's breed and legality. Detectives said they were also looking to find the canine's previous owner.

"The little girl’s parents and wider family are absolutely devastated and our specialist Family liaison officers are providing them with support at this horrendous time," Milligan said, according to The Guardian. “Our officers will remain on Bidston Avenue this evening and in the coming days to provide reassurance to the local community and we will work tirelessly to establish the full circumstances.”

Milligan urged witnesses or anybody who had any information on the dog to contact the police.

“Our officers take the issue of dangerous dogs very seriously. Over the past years we have worked proactively with the five local authorities in Merseyside to ensure prohibited dogs are taken off the streets," she added.

In another similar incident earlier this month, a 3-month-old baby died after being allegedly attacked by an "out-of-control" dog. Two people were arrested in connection to the death. The incident took place at a scenic location in Lincolnshire. The police officers were called to the scene in Ostler's Plantation by East Midlands Ambulance Service. A 40-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of being in charge of the dog that attacked the child. The breed of the dog was not known.