'Dogs bred' at home where four-year-old savaged to death

Police knew of concerns about dogs in a house where a four-year-old boy was mauled to death, it emerged tonight.

John-Paul Massey suffered fatal injuries when he was savaged by the family pet in the early hours of today.

The animal, described by neighbours as a pitbull type, also savaged his grandmother, Helen Foulkes, as she tried to protect the youngster who she was baby-sitting at her home in Liverpool.

Mrs Foulkes, 63, who suffered dog bites to her legs and body, has since been discharged from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Merseyside Police tonight said an investigation is under way into the ownership of the dog and whether it was an illegal breed.

The force also revealed a complaint was made by a city housing officer last February about dog breeding at the home in Ash Grove, Wavertree.

But a police call centre operator told the caller it was "not a police matter" and the complaint was never followed up.

Chief Superintendent Steve Ashton, area commander for South Liverpool, said the response was "incorrect" and a separate investigation will take place to find out why specialist "dangerous dog squad" officers did not visit the house.

Mr Ashton said: "We didn't respond. The operator decided it was not a police matter, which was incorrect.

"Had the correct procedures been followed a qualified officer would have gone to the house and looked into the matter."

Merseyside Police has destroyed 339 dogs of illegal breeds since the death of five-year-old Ellie Lawrenson on New Year's Day 2007.

Ellie was also being minded by her grandmother when she suffered dozens of bites from her uncle's pitbull terrier Reuben.