A coroner has said the death of an 11-month-old girl mauled by a pit bull was the "most horrendous" he had seen in more than 20 years.
Ava-Jayne Corless suffered multiple injuries inflicted by the nine-stone dog as she slept in the bedroom of her mother's then boyfriend's home in Blackburn.
Her mother Chloe King said she and Lee Wright had fallen asleep on the settee downstairs and thought the animal was blocked in the kitchen by a speaker and golf bag stand.
Officers were called to the property on Emily Street on 10 February and both adults were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and neglect before they were bailed and later told they would not face charges.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Peter Simm told the hearing that when police arrived, a "cannabis cultivation set-up" was found with 11 plants in a second bedroom, along with associated drugs paraphernalia.
Blood tests showed Mr Wright was under the influence of cannabis at the time of the toddler's death.
Weapons including ornamental swords, knuckledusters and a cricket bat were also seized.
Coroner Michael Singleton said: "The conclusion I shall use is this was an attack by a pit bull terrier-type dog.
"I recognise that every death I deal with represents a personal tragedy for someone, but in more than 20 years of doing this job I have to say the circumstances of the death of Ava-Jayne represent by far the most horrendous that I have had experience of."
Mr Wright, who did not attend the inquest, is awaiting criminal proceedings next year on allegations he possessed a banned breed of dog and was concerned in the supply of cannabis.
He denies both charges.
Sky News
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