Senior police officers have revealed that there was no investigation of a complaint in February about illicit breeding of dogs at the address where John-Paul Massey died.
It also emerged that John-Paul did not live at the address where he died. Police said that he was visiting his grandmother when the attack happened.
Chief Superintendent Steve Ashley said: "A complaint was made to Merseyside Police by a housing association officer, to the effect that he suspected dogs were being bred at the address.
"The reply given was that it was 'not a police matter' and no action was taken.
"That reply was not correct, it was a police matter and our response to that report will be the subject of further investigation."
Police said the animal was a "medium-sized dog" but that results of tests would be required to establish what breed it was.
Locals said the ferocious animal was a white and brown bulldog cross-breed with immensely powerful jaws.
His grandmother, Helen Foulkes, 63, suffered serious injuries as she wrestled with the dog, trying to pull away from John-Paul.
Police arrived at the scene at 12.30am and managed to contain the dog in the front garden of the house while paramedics entered through the rear door.
Tests showed no sign of a heartbeat and they were unable to revive John-Paul.
The dog was "agitated" in the front garden and it was humanely destroyed with two rifle bullets fired by a police marksman.
John-Paul's 13-year-old brother was also in the house at the time of the attack. He was uninjured but has been left deeply traumatised by the incident.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Our condolences got to the family of John-Paul and our thoughts are with them at their loss."
Police said genetic tests would be carried out to establish the breed of the dog involved.
Added the police spokesman: "The process of identification of whether a dog is illegal under the dangerous dog act takes time.
"It is a complex issue and further forensic examinations are ongoing to establish the type of dog involved in this attack."
The attack happened at 24 minutes after midnight at a modern terraced house in Ash Grove, Wavertree, where John Paul was visiting his grandmother.
Police and paramedics who responded to 999 calls discovered that John-Paul died at the scene from multiple injuries inflicted by the murderous jaws of the animal.
The dog was cornered in the front garden of the three-bedroomed property where it was then destroyed by two rifle bullets fired by a police marksman.
Neighbours said the dog was a "ferocious" creature that belonged to Christian Foulkes who also lives at the address.
One neighbour, Lawrence Crewe, described how he heard "hellish" barking coming from the property after midnight.
Council worker Lawrence, 53, said: "We heard terrible barking that went on for more than twenty minutes.
"It was a hellish, blood-chilling noise, and we wondered what could be going-on.
"A few minutes later we heard two gunshots and the barking stopped. Only now we know the full horror of what had happened.
"It's a heart-breaking tragedy. He was a lovely, happy little lad. We used to see him playing in the front garden or walking down the street with his grandmother."
Ellen Doneghan suffered serious injuries as she battled in vain to protect her grandson from the attack.
She was being treated for her injuries at the Royal Liverpool Hospital where her condition was "serious" but not life-threatening.
Another neighbour, Amos Ankara, said: "It was an accident waiting to happen - keeping that ferocious dog in the house with a young boy.
"Even Christian's friends would not go near it. Everyone in the street was wary of it."
Chief Superintendent Steve Ashley, said; "This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out in to the circumstances surrounding this young boy's death. Officers are with the family and our sympathies are with them at this time.
"Of utmost importance in such incidents is the safety the public and of police officers.
A Roman Catholic priest comforted members of the Foulkes family at the red-brick house in Ash Grove, Wavertree, which is rented from a housing association.
Fr Peter Morgan, of St Anne's RC Church, Edge Hill, said: "They are a close, loving family who are members of our parish family.
"The family are just broken by what has happened. There is an awful lot of pain in house and they are really in a state of shock and at a loss for words.
"I have tried to offer them some words of comfort and consolation at this very difficult time."
See first-at-the scene report on Click Liverpool * http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/national-news/127044-four-year-old-boy-killed-by-dog-in-liverpool.html
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