Uncle held over fatal dog attack

John Paul Massey pictured with his mother Angela McGlynn

The uncle of a four-year-old boy mauled to death by a pit bull dog in Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of his manslaughter.

Christian Foulkes, 21, was detained following the death of John Paul Massey at his grandmother's house in Wavertree on Monday.

He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Merseyside Police have apologised after an earlier report of dog breeding at the house was not investigated.

John Paul died from severe neck and head injuries. In a tribute to him, his family said he was the "light in all of our lives".

He had been staying with his grandmother, Helen Foulkes, and his 13-year-old brother at the house in Ash Grove on Sunday night.

Dog destroyed

Mrs Foulkes, 63, fought to separate the dog, called Uno, from her grandson but the injuries he sustained were so severe he could not be saved. He died at the scene.

Mrs Foulkes was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.

John Paul's mother left a message to her son In pictures

The pit bull was in an agitated state in the front garden of the property when armed officers arrived. It was shot dead by police marksmen.

A criminal investigation started after tests on the dog revealed it was a pit bull, a breed banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Following the four-year-old's death, John Paul's family paid tribute to their "real chatterbox".

In a statement they said: "John Paul was the light in all of our lives and when that light went out it took a piece of us with it forever."

In February, a housing officer told police that residents had complained about suspected dog breeding at the property, but was wrongly told it was not a police matter.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating why the reports about breeding were not followed up.