11/01/2007

Funeral for girl mauled by pit bull

The funeral of the five-year-old girl who died after being attacked by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been held today.

Ellie Lawrenson suffered fatal injuries when the dog attacked her at her grandmother's home in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Her grandmother, Jackie Simpson, 46, suffered severe arm injuries trying to stop the dog from attacking Ellie.

The dog, which was owned by Ellie's uncle Kiel Simpson, was shot dead by police at the scene.

Mr Simpson, 23, was questioned by police over the incident, but was not arrested.

Mr Simpson was one of four pallbearers at today's funeral at Christ Church in Eccleston.

Around 60 mourners attended the funeral, including Ellie's parents Darren Lawrenson and Lyndsey Simpson, and Jackie Simpson who was still heavily bandaged as a result of the injuries she sustained during the attack.

The funeral cortege then left the church for a private ceremony, believed to be a cremation.

(KMcA/EF)


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The grandmother of a five-year-old girl who was attacked and killed by a pit bull terrier-type dog has been charged with her manslaughter. Ellie Lawrenson suffered severe head and neck injuries in the attack at the home of Jacqueline Simpson, 46, in St Helens, Merseyside in the early hours of New Year's Day.
11 September 2007
Grandmother Cleared Over Child Dog Attack Death
The grandmother of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson, who was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier on New Year's Day, has been cleared of her manslaughter. Jacqueline Simpson, 45, had been looking after Ellie at her home in St Helens in Merseyside at the time of the attack.
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