Dog attack: Jade Anderson's boyfriend, 13, tells of grief following death of 'beautiful girl'

 
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Staff|Agency28 March 2013

The young boyfriend of a girl who was apparently mauled to death by dogs has spoken of his grief at the loss of the 'beautiful girl'.

Josh Pheasey, 13, said that he hadn't slept since the death of 14-year-old Jade Anderson.

Jade was discovered with wounds consistent with a dog attack at a property in Atherton, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

Speaking of her death, Josh said: "I don't know what I'm going to do. I just know that I miss her."

"I haven't really slept at all and I can't see it getting any easier. I went to bed at 11pm last night and was still awake at 4am."

Josh, who was in the same year as Jade at Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, was expected to attend a vigil for her school last night at which lanterns were released, according to reports.

He said: "My friends have all been great - they have been in touch asking how I am.

"Jade was such a nice, beautiful girl and wouldn't hurt a fly. We were in the same form. She only moved to my school this year from a school in Manchester.

"We just used to hang around together really, she was great fun. I know the school are putting on counsellors but I don't know if I will talk to one."

Jade 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 in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Jade's mother had to be restrained outside the house by police, who held her back from witnessing the horrific scene, The Sun said.

Daniel Speakman, 19, saw her arrive in a car and said: "The coppers held her back and told her she couldn't go in. But she said, 'I want my daughter. I want to see her'."

It emerged yesterday that Jade's death may not lead to a criminal prosecution and police are investigating to establish whether any criminal offences had been committed.

Speaking outside the house yesterday, Superintendent Mark Kenny said he had devoted a number of officers to finding out what happened.

"The investigation will take a considerable period of time," he said.

"We are not going to jump to any conclusions, we want to work out exactly what has happened before we make any decisions.

"Nobody has been arrested.

"There is an investigation which will establish whether there are criminal offences so we are speaking to everybody who was involved to establish what has happened."

A steady stream of well wishers have left flowers and soft toys near the scene of the attack.

A card on one bouquet read: "Dear Jade, can't believe you're gone.

"You will always be in our hearts and minds.

"Rest in peace, love Uncle John and Aunty Jo."

Her headteacher, Jan Garretts added: "Jade was a lively student who always had a smile on her face.

"She loved music and dance and was a regular at our after-school dancing club.

"She will be greatly missed by the school community."

Meanwhile, a toddler in America has also died after being attacked by seven dogs.

The 18-month-old girl was mauled in Georgia yesterday morning by dogs owned by her family, believed to be pit bulls and pit bull mixes.

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