Merseyside Police said Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital from her injuries after emergency services were called to her home in the Blackbrook area of the town shortly before 4pm on Monday, March 21.

Nearby neighbours described trying to save the “beautiful” toddler after hearing her parents’ screams.

A police officer wipes her eyes outside a house in St Helens after a 17-month-old girl died after being attacked by a dog. Picture: PA Wire

Superintendent Steve Brizell said: “Bella-Rae has lost her life in the most unimaginably terrible circumstances and our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and the wider community at this devastating time.

• READ MORE: 'Beautiful little girl' killed in dog attack identified as Bella-Rae Birch

“Our specialist family liaison officers are providing the family of Bella-Rae with support and officers will remain in the area in the coming days to provide further reassurance and support for the wider community.

“At this stage we understand that the family dog they had bought just a week earlier has attacked Bella-Rae inside the family home.

Police and forensic investigators outside a house in St Helens after a 17-month-old girl died after being attacked by a dog. Picture: PA Wire

“Bella-Rae was taken by ambulance to hospital by paramedics but despite the best efforts of police officers at scene, paramedics and doctors sadly Bella-Rae died as a result of her injuries yesterday afternoon.

• READ MORE: Family pay tribute to 'beautiful little girl' killed in dog attack

“It has left a family and a community grieving and in complete shock.”

Merseyside Police say the dog has been humanely destroyed and work was ongoing to determine its breed and its previous owners.

Superintendent Steve Brizell speaks to the media outside a house in St Helens after a 17-month-old girl died after being attacked by a dog. Picture: PA Wire

One neighbour, who gave her name as Jordan, said she ran to help Bella-Rae.

She said: “We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over.”

The neighbour, who is due to go to university to train as a paramedic, said the child’s parents were “hysterical”.

She added: “I didn’t see the dog, I was just focusing on helping the baby.”

On Tuesday morning police officers were stationed outside the house, which was cordoned off with police tape, and a forensics officer was seen going inside the property.

Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police on Twitter @MerPolCC, or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, with reference number 22000196837.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.