‘My Bella boo. Have the best day gorgeous we love you too much’
A dad’s final heartbreaking message to his “little princess” daughter was revealed after she was mauled and killed by the family dog on March 22.
Now named as Bella-Rae Birch, the girl died in hospital following injuries sustained from a dog at the family home in St Helens, Merseyside.
Last October, as Bella turned one, her father Ryan wished her a happy birthday. He touchingly wrote: “Happy birthday to my little princess, big one today. First ever birthday!!
“My Bella boo. Have the best day gorgeous we love you too much.”
Speaking on her daughter’s death, mother Traysharn said: “On March 21, we sadly lost our gorgeous blue-eyed baby girl, who was just one year of age, in a tragic sudden accident.
“We are now in a position where we need to raise funds towards the most beautiful send-off.”
The dog, which the family had bought home the previous week, is believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Pitbull Terrier, reports the Sun. Police are currently searching for the dog’s previous owner to better understand the breed, which could be illegal under 1991’s Dangerous Dogs Act.
The attack itself happened at around 4 pm on March 22, at which point a frantic local employed CPR in an attempt to keep Bella stable.
“We pulled up from school and heard screaming,” the witness and soon to be paramedic told reporters.
“I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over.
“The baby wasn’t well. I tried to help her. I started CPR, which I did for around 30 seconds. It was just myself.”
Sadly, the toddler succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Updating the nation, who are closely following the case, her family said: “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.”
Neighbour Linda-Birchall, 61, said the family looked “devastated and inconsolable.”
Our thoughts are very much with this little girl , a life tragically lost . Colleagues @MerseyPolice together with @sthelenscouncil &partners will work &support the family &the local communities whilst working professionally &with compassion to determine why &how this occurred . https://t.co/VgnpRXx73M
— Ian Critchley QPM (@iancritchley2) March 22, 2022
“It’s such a terrible thing to happen,” she added.
Anyone with any information is being urged to contact police via the social media desk @MerPolCC or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, with the reference 22000196837.
Related links:
- Fleeing Ukrainian woman carries large elderly dog 10 miles across border on her shoulders
- Mayor of Melitopol abducted by Russian forces
- Brits to be asked to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes
