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Little Lexi Branson was mauled to death by her family's massive dog yesterday as she took a midday nap after being off school sick.

The normally placid 10st French mastiff suddenly leapt at the sleeping four-year-old, grabbed her in its jaws and began shaking her like a rag doll.

Lexi's horrified mother Jodi, 31, who was comforting the youngster in their shared bed, frantically wrestled with the dog to try to get it off her.

Finally she ran to grab a knife and stabbed the rescue dog to death - but it was too late to save Lexi, who died from her injuries after being rushed to hospital.

(Image: Facebook)

The tragedy has stunned neighbours in Mountsorrel, Leics.

They told how they heard screams then saw distraught Jodi emerge from her flat sobbing and covered in blood.

Family friend Paul Ryan said: "I saw Jodi as they were taking Lexi to hospital. She was in hysterics and kept saying she was told that the dog was safe around kids.

"She's devastated. Lexi was her only child and she doted on her.

"She had only had the dog for two months after picking it up from a local rescue centre.

(Image: Facebook)

"It had suffered abuse in the past but she said it had a very soft nature. Lexi was always playing with it." Paul added: "Apparently it suddenly turned on Lexi for no reason. She was in bed sleeping with her mum and it came in and just went mental. It grabbed Lexi and wouldn't let go.

"Jodi was screaming and trying to pull its head away but it wouldn't give a in. In the end she had to use a knife to release its jaw. It must have been absolutely terrifying." Residents on the smart, well kept estate owned by a housing association are banned from having dogs unless they hold a permit.

It is believed single mum Jodi, a cleaner who has lived there for three years, did not have one.

(Image: Facebook)

Neighbour Sam Clarke, 26, said: "What's happened is heart-breaking beyond belief. I can't stop crying. My son Dylan was best friends with Lexi. She was a lovely girl. Her mum worshipped her." Paul, 30 - who is Sam's cousin - added: "Jodi wanted a dog for company. It had been badly treated and scars over its body and bits of its fur missing.

"But it was finally in a loving family. They took it for walks and it seemed very docile but for some reason it suddenly turned nasty. It's a terrible tragedy."

Another neighbour Arthur Nash, 67, said: "I saw Jodi just after it happened.

She was standing the car park covered in blood. She was in total shock."

A close relative, who declined to be named, said: "We are all totally devastated.

We just need to be together as a family and look after each other."

Last night a spokesman for Leicestershire Police said the "distressing" incident was being investigated.