Horrific injuries revealed to Bella-Rae Birch, 1, after toddler was beaten to death by American Bully

A ONE-year-old girl killed by her family’s new dog died from head trauma, an inquest has found.

Bella-Rae Birch was bitten to death at her home by the American Bully XL, a legal breed.

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The family bought the dog just a week before last Monday’s attack in St Helens. Merseyside.

Bella-Rae’s mother, Treysharn Bates, paid tribute to her daughter by writing “Bella Rae” with a love heart in sand.

She also changed her Facebook profile picture to one of her and her daughter with a pacifier in their mouths.

Meanwhile, Bella-Rae’s father and Treysharn’s boyfriend Ryan Birch changed his profile picture to his smiling baby in her England football shirt.

The family said in a statement: “As a family we would like to thank the community for their support.

“We would like to ask that we have some space and time now to try to process the tragic loss of our beloved Bella-Rae.

“She will be sorely missed but will never be forgotten.”

It comes as fundraiser for her funeral reached £5,550. And this week, a vigil and balloon launch was held in memory of the toddler.

Bella-Rae was found with serious injuries and taken to the hospital, where she died later that day.

The dog was confiscated by the police and destroyed in an animal-friendly manner. Officers are trying to locate the previous owner.

Last month, Treysharn a New picture of her “blue-eyed girl”.

and Neighbors described the tragedy as they rushed to help save the little girl.

One rushed to the scene and gave the toddler CPR before paramedics arrived, while others recalled the desperate screams from bystanders.

Witness Linda Birchall, 61, said the family looked devastated and heartbroken after the attack.

And Joanne Matthews, 53, called Bella-Rae a “beautiful little girl who frolics”.

The baby’s Dad called her his “Bella Boo” for her first birthday last October, adding, “Have the most beautiful day, beautiful. We love you too much.”

Merseyside Police confirmed the breed of dog was one American Bully XLwhich is not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Mum Treysharn wrote of her fundraiser: “On March 21st we sadly lost our beautiful blue eyed girl, aged just one, in a tragic sudden accident.

“We are now in a position where we need to raise funds for the best farewell.”

A well-wisher who donated to the fundraiser wrote, “Good night God bless Bella-Rae thinking of all your family at this sad time.”

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