 THE owner of the savage dog that mauled little Ellie Lawrenson to death is a convicted drug dealer. Kiel Simpson, 23, the five-year-old's uncle, was sentenced to 21 months after nearly 20kg of cannabis was found in his car in 2003. He admitted possession with intent to supply when he appeared at Liverpool crown court after being caught with 18 blocks of the drug during a routine search in Anfield. He will be questioned by police over his ownership of the dog that killed his niece after a post-mortem yesterday revealed it was a banned pit bull-style animal. Ellie was confirmed dead at the scene after the vicious attack in the early hours of New Year's Day at her grandmother's house in St Helens. The one-year-old dog, called Reuben, also left gran Jackie, 46, needing surgery after she tried to save the youngster. She was today described as "comfortable" in Whiston hospital. Kiel Simpson yesterday joined Ellie's heartbroken parents - Lyndsey, 24, and Darren, 30 - and other relatives at a shrine outside the house. His message on a bouquet read: "To Ellie. I will always love you and never forget our special times. All my love, uncle Kiel." The parents' note read: "To Ellie, our little angel. Taken away forever. "We just love and miss you so much. We're so broken hearted. Life will never be the same without you. Love, mummy and daddy." Darren carried Ellie's baby brother Josh in his arms. Lyndsey walked behind clutching a child's dummy. In an emotional tribute, Lindsey and Darren said she doted on her little brother. They said: "Ellie was always happy and smiling. She was a little angel, full of life and always running around. "She loved her music and was a proper little girl, performing her routines and singing along to Beyoncé and the X Factor. "She was always sociable, playing with other children and chatting to neighbours. "She was an active little girl, she loved horse-riding and was looking forward to going ice-skating for the first time in the New Year. "We are absolutely devastated and can't believe she is gone." | 
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