Faces of four victims killed by dangerous dogs A total of 31 people have been killed in dog attacks across the UK since 2020 XL Bullies were added to the banned breed list in December 2023 (Image: Getty ) Four people have lost their lives in fatal dog attacks in Merseyside in the last five years. New figures revealed a total of 31 people have been killed in savage attacks across the UK since 2020 - with a concerning number of tragedies occurring close to home. The first victim was 17-month-old Bella-Rae Birch, who was attacked by an XL Bully at her St Helens home on March 21 2022. Police and the ambulance service were called to Bidston Avenue at 3.49pm following reports the toddler had been "seriously injured" by the family pet. ‌ She was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where she died of her injuries. Police said her family had purchased the XL American Bully-type dog, called Texas, just a week before the attack. The dog was humanely destroyed following the horrific incident. At the time, XL Bullies were legal breeds not subject to any prohibitions under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. This changed in December 2023, when XL Bullies were added to the banned breed list following a spate of attacks which sparked a public outcry. Article continues below It became an offence to breed or rehome an XL Bully dog regardless of its age, with the UK government website issuing a grim warning: "You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months (or both) for having a banned dog against the law. Your dog will also be destroyed." Bella-Rae Birch (Image: Merseyside Police ) Five months after Bella-Rae's death, Ann Dunn, 65, was fatally attacked by her son's three-year-old American bulldog, Bronx, on October 3 2022. It is believed the nan was attempting to break up a fight between Bronx and another dog, Cairo, when both animals turned on her. ‌ The incident occurred at her Vauxhall home on October 3 2022. At around 1.20pm, Mrs Dunn phoned her son and told him she was going to let Bronx out of the bedroom as he was crying, and he advised her to keep the dog away from Cairo, as they would fight. Fears were raised later that afternoon when Mrs Dunn failed to pick up her grandson from school, and family members attended her address, where she was found dead. At her inquest, coroner Andre Rebello said: "They have looked through the letterbox and saw Ann lying in the hallway unresponsive, and she was in a pool of blood, with blood on her body. Ann was face-down and covered by a blood soaked towel. Both her arms were showing evidence of bite marks, along with her legs." ‌ Ann Dunn (Image: Merseyside Police ) The next death occurred in Brighton-le-Sands on September 3 2023. Marie Stevens died at her home two weeks after she had been attacked by two Rottweilers. Mrs Stevens suffered "serious and significant" wounds to her arms and legs after she was attacked by the dogs on Park Lane West in Netherton at around 5.45pm on August 18 last year. The 40-year-old, who was in the area visiting her sister, was taken to Aintree University Hospital by ambulance and was discharged on September 1. ‌ Two days later, her husband Mark found her lying on her back outside their home's downstairs bathroom. A post-mortem investigation found she died of a pulmonary embolism. Marie Stevens (Image: Mark Stevens ) The latest death happened in Warrington, where John McColl, 84, died after being savaged by an XL Bully. The grandad was walking home when he was chased into a garden on Bardsley Avenue and attacked on February 24 this year. ‌ He died of his injuries in hospital a month later, on March 30. In a tribute released by Cheshire Police, his family said: "As a family we are absolutely devastated with what has happened to John. "He fought hard for the last five weeks but he decided he could not fight any more and passed away on Sunday 30 March at 1.40pm surrounded by family. Our dad, grandad and great grandad will always be loved by us all and sadly missed by each and every one of us." The dog involved in the attack was killed by armed police outside the address. A second suspected XL Bully was also killed inside the property and a third smaller dog was also seized. Cheshire Police said firearms officers fired 19 shots at the dogs due to "the sheer size and ferocity of these animals". ‌ John McColl Following the XL Bully ban in December 2023, owners who wanted to keep their dogs had to apply for an exception certificate from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and follow certain strict rules, including neutering their pet and keeping it on-lead and muzzled in public. At home, the dogs must be kept in a secure place so it cannot escape. The legislation was first announced by prime minister Rishi Sunak in September 2023 following an alarming rise in XL bully attacks. The RSPCA said it was "deeply concerned about the addition of another dog to the list of banned breeds". Article continues below They said: "We are part of the Dog Control Coalition (an animal welfare organization advocating for humane dog control) and all of us in the sector believe that this ban will not protect the public. Despite this change in law, we will continue to campaign for more effective dog control in the UK, which focuses on prevention and early intervention, regardless of breed."