Jade Anderson: Prosecution 'unlikely' over death of girl mauled by pack of dogs

A policewoman stands near the scene where a 14 year old Jade Anderson was found dead believed to have been killed by a pack of dogs in Atherton, Greater Manchester (PA)

Police said last night it was “unlikely” they will prosecute anybody over the death of a 14-year-old girl who was mauled by a pack of dogs.

Jade Anderson was discovered with wounds consistent with a dog attack at a property in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, on 26 March.

She was visiting the house, the home of a friend, and was alone when she was attacked by four dogs –believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers – which were later shot by police marksmen.

A fifth dog, which was not considered a danger to the public, was “contained” at the scene.

Last night, a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said they could not prove a crime had been committed, although said a prosecution may be brought in the future.

He said: “At this stage of the inquiry, we do not have anything evidentially to categorically prove a crime has been committed, therefore it is unlikely at this stage we will be seeking to bring a prosecution.

“That is not to say that no prosecution will ever be brought, and we still have a number of inquiries to make,” he added.