Pitbull Pet Dog Mauls Owner's Beautiful Daughter To Death (See Photos)

U Ava-Jayne Corless, aged 11 months, was rushed to hospital at around 11pm yesterday after she was attacked by a pit bull while in bed at her stepfather's home in Blackburn, Lancashire. Police officers and paramedics attempted to revive her but she was pronounced dead at the Royal Blackburn Hospital. The victim's mother and stepfather, who were downstairs at the time of the attack, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The exact breed of the pet - which has now been destroyed - is not known, but police believe that it was 'an American pit bull type'. Ava-Jayne's father Dean Corless today revealed his grief at hearing of the attack, saying: 'I am absolutely devastated after what has happened. I found out late last night and rushed to the hospital to see her straight away.' The 24-year-old added: 'She was the most beautiful and adorable little girl, she was just the best. She was my whole world. 'I will miss her every single day, I just don't know what to do now. It is just so tragic. I have my family around me now, but we are all devastated.' Ava-Jayne with her mother Chloe King, who has been arrested over the girl's death Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell said: 'This is an absolutely horrific incident in which a baby girl has lost her life and I would like to take this opportunity to express my own personal sympathy to the wider family of baby Ava. Recounting the details of the attack, he added: 'The baby was upstairs in a bed in one of the front bedrooms and the two people who are currently in custody, they were downstairs when the attack took place. 'The dog is believed to be an American pit bull type, it has been destroyed and tests will be carried out today to establish the exact breed of the dog and inquiries into the history of the animal.'