A 14-year-old girl has died after she was attacked by a pack of "out of control" dogs at a house in Greater Manchester.
Jade Anderson was found alone with five of the animals at a house she was visiting in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, Wigan, on Tuesday afternoon, the BBC reported today.
Four dogs, believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers, were shot by police marksmen. A fifth dog was contained.
"They were confronted by a number of dogs that were aggressive and out of control," a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said.
Police officers said her injuries were "consistent with having been attacked by dogs".
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life. Specialist officers are offering them every support," Superintendent Mark Kenny said.
"I understand this is an extremely distressing incident for all concerned, including the community, and we will work hard to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy."
Friends paid tribute to the "quiet" and "timid" teenager, who is thought to have visited the shops and returned to the house with a meat pie when she was attacked.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates about 210,000 people are attacked by dogs in England every year.
Five children and one adult have been killed by dogs on private property since 2007.
Jade's school, Fred Longworth High School, said staff and pupils were "all deeply shocked and saddened".
A statement on the school's website said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by Jade's tragic death.
