Memorial event in St Helens for 17-month-old Bella Rae Birch killed by family dog
The parents of a baby girl who died after being killed by their dog, have joined hundreds at a vigil in St Helens.
Bella Rae Birch, who was just 17-months-old, was attacked by the family's pet dog at their home in Blackbrook on Monday 21 March.
Her family paid tribute to their 'gorgeous blue-eyed girl', and a fundraiser was set up to help pay towards a 'beautiful send off' for Bella-Rae.
A memorial service, in the town's Church Square, held a minute's applause in the toddler's memory, before celebrating her life with music. It also raised money for her funeral.
The event was planned in her hometown on 30 March, and people were encouraged to gather for songs and prayers in Bella Rae's memory.
The Steve Prescott Bridge in the town was lit up pink in memory of the 17-month-old.
Ella Goudie, one of the organisers of the event, said: "Us doing this not only creates the memory, but also it will massively help them when it comes to the funeral.
"She was 17-months-old, she deserves the absolute biggest and best send off we could ever give her so the fact we could help with that also is massive for us."
Police said Bella-Rae had lost her life in the most "unimaginably terrible circumstances" after officers received a report that she had been attacked by a dog at the family home in Blackbrook.
The dog - which the family had bought just one week before - was handed over to police and was been humanely destroyed.
The animal later underwent tests to determine whether it was a legal breed.
Merseyside Police confirmed on Friday 25 March that it was an American Bully XL, which is a legal breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
On a GoFundMe page, Bella Rae's mum Treysharn Bates wrote: "On the 21st of March we sadly lost our gorgeous blue-eyed baby girl.
"We are now in a position where we need to raise funds towards the most beautiful send off. Every little will help, every little is appreciated. Thank you everyone"
Police say they are still looking for witnesses and information about the incident.