TRIBUTES have been paid to 17-month-old girl from St Helens who was killed in a dog attack on Monday.
Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital from her injuries after emergency services were called to her home in the Blackbrook area of the town at 3.50pm, Merseyside Police said.
In a statement, Bella-Rae's family thanked the community for their support.
They said: “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.”
Tributes have been paid by people across St Helens and beyond after a book of condolence was set up by the St Helens Star.
Teresa Smith said: "May your beautiful soul rest in the arms of the angels.💔"
Rachel Moss in St Helens said: "Rest In Peace baby girl, thinking of your mummy, daddy and big brother 🧡."
Lauren Heaton added: "Rest in peace little one."
Barbara Corrigan in St Helens said: "Beautiful little Bella-Rae we remember when you used to come to Nursery with your big brother in your Mummy’s tummy and we can’t express our sadness at this sad news from all at Precious Little Ones we are all thinking of your family and friends at this sad time sleep please fully beautiful girl xxxxx."
Kirsty Jade in St Helens added: "You were such a lovely, gorgeous and funny little girl. You're going to be missed so much our sweet Angel watch over your mummy and daddy ☹ We will all love and miss you forever ❤."
Carole Mather posted: "Sweet dreams little baby x."
Gary Critchley in Blackbrook said: "So sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences to your family at this sad time."
Pat Critchley said: "God bless you little one fly high with the rest of the Angel's xx🙏🙏."
Suzanne added: "Sleep tight angel fly high. Sending my love to your family at this awful time."
Rachel Moss said: "Rest In Peace baby girl, thinking of your mummy, daddy and big brother 🧡."
Lynn Arnold said: "Fly high baby Bella Rae r.i.p little girl 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏."
Michelle Howard in Blackbrook said: "Such a tragic thing to happen to anyone let alone a little girl. Sweet dreams little angel."
We've set up an online book of condolence for you to pay your tributes. You can leave your own message using the tool at the bottom.
Messages will be moderated before appearing online so there may be a delay before you see it here.
Community answers
We've set up a book of condolence for Bella-Rae Birch - pay your tributes here
"The St Helens Star has opened a book of condolence to pay tribute to Bella-Rae Birch, who died aged 17 months following a dog attack in the Blackbrook area of St Helens on Monday (March 21, 2022)."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGod bless you gorgeous girl .a sweet angel to fly high. I didn't know you but my heart is breaking for you and your family..God give them peace xxxl
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hererest in peace little one. my heart goes out to the family at this sad time I know what this poor family is going though my daughter died two years. i feel the pain that family is going though
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high sweet child. Sending hugs at this sad time thinking of you all all Xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereWords cannot describe the saddness we feel in our hearts for you all at this deverstating and incredibly heartbreaking time. Sleep tight beautiful Bella Rae you will forever be in our hearts.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereTaken far too soon sending love to your parents your brother and the wider family RIP precious angel
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereso sorry for ur loss of ur daughter Bella thinking of u at this very sad time my deepest sympathy to u and ur family
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip baby girl thinking of you're mummy and daddy at this sad time rest easy with the angels now and watch over you're family ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBells, You are so loved baby girl so so loved, If love could have saved you we wouldn’t be living this nightmare💔Your smile was so infectious, Watching you grow from newborn to a beautiful clever little girl was always something I cherished and now just that bit more, I love you baby girl everyone loves you, Your going to be so missed😭💖💖💖
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBeautiful baby girl, you gained your angel wings far too early. May you fly high over the 🌈
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBeautiful little angel girl in the arms of our Lord
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful baby girl ❤️❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace little one. Play with the angels.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high little angel god has called you back too heaven rip
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereYou look like a beautiful girl with the world ahead of you. So sorry to see you leave us so quickly. Condolences 🙏🏼
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSweet Dreams Baby Girl A Young Life taken Far too Soon, Sending My Deepest Condolences to your family
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSad isn’t the word, I hope the little girls parents find the strength to get through this god bless the whole family. Rest in paradise Bella-Rae. As a father myself this really touched my heart, I hope someone sets up a go fund me to help the family and also little Bella-Rae’s older brother god bless that boy too tragic isn’t the word :-(
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereMay you rest in peace little lady. Such a heart breaking event to happen. We send love and hope to your family as you were taken way too soon and in such a terrible way. May the angels sing and dance with you as you look over your family and smile down. Sending love ❤
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSuch a horrible tragedy,a beautiful baby girl Taken away from her family ,god bless you princess
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip gorgeous baby girl 👼💞
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch here
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSweet Dreams sueBEAUTIFUL GIRL X , May you rest in peace ANGEL XXXX
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGood Night God bless Bella-Rae, thinking of all your family at this sad time xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBeautiful little girl such a sad loss ❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high baby girl. Taken too soon. RIP 💔💔
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in paradise beautiful princess I no your nanny miranda, mummy and daddy will miss you so much and will never forget that beautiful smile go give your uncle a big cuddle he will look after you now 💔💔💔
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereJust no words, sorry doesn’t come close.. beautiful baby girl sincere condolences to your family xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip princess dance with the angels thinking of your family
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSweet dreams beautiful angel ❤️❤️❤️ Thinking of all your family at this sad time
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFighting back tears after seeing the pictures of this beautiful little girl. Can’t even imagine what the family feel about getting this dog and witnessing it getting there baby girl. It’s time the Law changed regarding buying dogs when you have a very young baby or child. Rest in piece beautiful princess. My thoughts are with you and your family. Xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSleep tight baby girl xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch here👼 rest in peace little Bella-Rae x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch heremy thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. am so so sorry for your loss
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace sweet angel xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereTo the family and friends of your, cherished, little angel, heartfelt sympathy for your tragic loss. I could not even begin to imagine your pain.I will pray for everyone concerned in the hope that you will find the strength to carry on.himagine
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch herelife taken so short..r.i.p baby girl xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest In Peace Bella-Rae, may God give you the best bed in Heaven ❤️.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip 🙏 can not Imagine the lost you have suffered ❤️🩹
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in piece little one
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high beautiful girl thoughts are with your family I cannot possible imagine what they are going through .Your now with the angels
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereI can’t even begin to try to think what you must be going through at this very very sad time.If I could just send my condolences for the very sad loss of your beautiful daughter I hope eventually you can come to terms with the loss of someone so dear to you. My thoughts are with you and all your family
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGoodnight God bless beautiful angel x thinking of you mummy daddy big brother all your family and loved ones. Shine over them like the beautiful star you will be x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sorry for ur loss.xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereWords can’t even express how devastated you must be feeling right now, such a beautiful little girl taken away far too soon. I hope in time you will be able to find peace in your heart Bella Rae will shine on with you! Xxxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high baby Girl, Shine bright over your mummy and daddy and rest of the family. Goodnight god bless Bella-Rae
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereHeart goes out to the family very very sad story to hear, rest in peace Bella Rae
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sad to hear this. Thinking of all your family. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in paradise little angel xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful angel. Just a baby. Thoughts and prayers with your mummy and daddy😢💔
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSleep tight little princess 👑
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high Beautiful Baby Girl. May the angels hold you safe until the time your Mummy and Daddy can hold you close once again. Sending so much love, light and sympathy to all your family and friends. My heart breaks for them xxxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGod bless you sweet beautiful girl. Fly with the angels 👼 💖💖
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful baby girl you are with the angels now 💔gone too soon 💗👼so sorry for your loss so so sad 😞 👼👼
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip baby girl. Fly high with the Angels
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereI can’t find any words, I am just so sorry, so very sorry
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSincere Condolences to the family of little Bella-Rae, looks such a lovely little girl, with a beautiful little smile. RIP Bella-Rae (the Cotham family)
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high you beautiful little Angel 😇
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSleep tight baby girl x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereR.i P baby Bella thinking of the family in tragic time ,fly high angle ♥️ ♥️ ♥️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereAn angel opened the book if life and wrotebella-raes date of birth and as she gently closed the book whispered too beautiful for earth
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in eternal piece beautiful, amongst the angels in heaven xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereangels will look after a beautiful little princess angel xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful girl. Thinking of your mummy, daddy and family. Rest in paradise angel xxxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereYesterday heaven gained another beautiful Angel taken far too soon, such tragic news my thoughts are with your family, friends and community. Sleep tight Bella-Rae ❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP Beautiful Girl. Your life was taken too soon, May you shine so bright in the night skys. Thinking of your family at this horrendous time xox
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace princess ❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sorry for your loss, my heart aches for you. RIP baby girl 💗
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest easy beautiful girl, too precious for this world Bella-Rae xxxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGod bless baby girl shine bright xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful girl xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace beautiful girl xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sorry baby girl, fly high with the angels R.I.P 🥲
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch here
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBless you Bella-Rae. You didn’t deserve this. RIP. X
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace my little one. Taken so soon. Thoughts go out to all family and friends.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSuch a beautiful little girl taken way too soon. Fly high little angel rest in peace 😔
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP Bella-Rae . Taken to soon xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP little princess x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSweet dreams bella ♥️♥️♥️♥️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences to your family at this sad time
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSuch a tragic thing to happen to anyone let alone a little girl. Sweet dreams little angel me
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereMay you be at peace beautiful baby girl Bella-Rae ❤️ sending so much love to this family x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereso sad
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGood night god bless gorgeous girl ❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP Angel, a young life cruelly stolen. Condolences to your parents and wider family. I never knew you or your family but my heart breaks for them. Sleep with the Angels little one xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereMay your beautiful soul rest in the arms of the angels.💔
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRip little girl sleep tight xx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereBeautiful little Bella-Rae we remember when you used to come to Nursery with your big brother in your Mummy’s tummy and we can’t express our sadness at this sad news from all at Precious Little Ones we are all thinking of your family and friends at this sad time sleep please fully beautiful girl xxxxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereR.I.P BABY BELLA SLEEP WELL
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP Bella-Rae birch Fly high baby girl ❤️
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereYou were such a lovely, gorgeous and funny little girl. Your going to be missed so much our sweet Angel watch over your mummy and daddy ☹ we will all love and miss you forever ❤
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSweet dreams little baby x
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSo sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with all her family. Taken to young. Sleep tight little angel xxx
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest in peace little one.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereGod bless you little one fly high with the rest of the Angel's xx🙏🙏
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereSleep tight angel fly high. Sending my love to your family at this awful time.
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereI AM SO SORRY TO HERE OF UR LOSS.SHE IS WITH THE ANGILS NOW THEY WILL LOOK AFTER HER NOW.GOD BLESS U BELLA-RAE XXXXX
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRIP little angel, fly high with the other angels ❤️❤️😢😢
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereRest In Peace baby girl, thinking of your mummy, daddy and big brother 🧡
Pay your tributes to Bella-Rae Birch hereFly high baby Bella Rae r.i.p little girl 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
We've set up a book of condolence for Bella-Rae Birch - pay your tributes here
The St Helens Star has opened a book of condolence to pay tribute to Bella-Rae Birch, who died aged 17 months following a dog attack in the Blackbrook area of St Helens on Monday (March 21, 2022).
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