A 17-month-old baby has been fatally injured after being attacked by a dog at her home in St. Helens. Merseyside authorities were called to the residence after reports of the girl being attacked. An Emergency team arrived to the home and took her to the hospital. Unfortunately the little girl had succumbed to her injuries. The dog was put down by authorities. They said that the dog will be used for further forensic examination to determine its breed and to see if it was legal to even have that type of dog. It’s rumored that the dog may have been a pit bull. The neighbors said that they heard the screaming. The dog was just purchased by the family a week ago. They are trying to find the original owners. Authorities said: "Bella-Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances," he said. "At this stage we understand that the family dog they had bought just a week earlier has attacked Bella-Rae inside

the family home. "Bella-Rae was taken by ambulance to hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts of police officers at the scene, paramedics and doctors sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries." She said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child’s family at this devastating time. 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. “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 about the dog to contact authorities. She added: “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.” Watch Video Below