Horrific injuries of Bella-Rae Birch, 1, revealed after toddler mauled to death by American Bully
A ONE-year-old girl killed by her family's new dog died from a head trauma, an inquest heard.
Bella-Rae Birch was mauled to death at her home by the American Bully XL, a legal breed.
The family bought the dog just a week before last Monday's attack in St Helens, Merseyside.
Bella-Rae's mum Treysharn Bates paid tribute to her daughter by writing "Bella Rae" with a love heart in sand.
She also changed her Facebook profile picture to one of her and her daughter with a dummy in her mouth.
Meanwhile Bella-Rae's dad and Treysharn's boyfriend Ryan Birch changed his profile picture to his baby smiling in her England football kit.
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The family said in a statement: "As a family we would like to thank the community for their support.
"We would ask that we are now allowed some space and time to try and come to terms with the tragic loss of our much-loved Bella-Rae.
"She will be sadly missed but never forgotten."
It comes as a for her funeral reached £5,550. And a vigil and balloon-release was held in memory of the toddler this week.
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Bella-Rae was found with serious injuries and taken to hospital, where she died on the same day.
The dog was seized by police and humanely destroyed. Officers are trying to locate the previous owner.
Last month Treysharn shared a new picture of her "blue-eyed baby girl".
And neighbours described the tragedy as they rushed to help save the little girl.
One rushed to the scene and gave the toddler CPR before emergency services arrived as others recalled the desperate screams of onlookers.
Witness Linda Birchall, 61, said the family looked devastated and inconsolable after the attack.
And Joanne Matthews, 53, called Bella-Rae a "beautiful little girl, toddling about".
The baby's dad called her his "Bella boo" last October for her first birthday, adding: "Have the best day gorgeous. We love you too much."
Merseyside Police confirmed the breed of dog was an American Bully XL, which is not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Mum Treysharn wrote on their fundraiser: "On the 21st of March, we sadly lost our gorgeous blue-eyed baby girl, who was just one year of age, in a tragic sudden accident.
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"We are now in a position where we need to raise funds towards the most beautiful send-off."
One well-wisher who donated to the fundraiser wrote: "Good night god bless Bella-Rae, thinking of all your family at this sad time."
