TRAGIC Jade Anderson’s body was discovered by a devastated friend who ran out of the house screaming: “She’s dead”.

The 14-year-old was found dead on Tuesday at a house in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, along with a pack of dogs.

Police, who admit even experienced officers have been shocked by the terrible incident, say the “most likely” scenario was that she was attacked by four dogs while at her friend’s house.

Supt Mark Kenny said: “I cannot express how terrible this incident is.”

Neighbours called police after Jade’s friend ran out into the street screaming. Officers went into the house with shields and moved the dogs into the back garden. They were shot from an upstairs window.

Yesterday the crime scene had been scaled down. An officer guarded the front door and another was positioned at the back, next to dozens of floral tributes and teddy bears.

Through the fence, there was evidence on the patio paving where the dogs had been shot.

Jade was found in the living room of the house.

Police said the authorities had not received complaints about the bull mastiffs and Staffordshire bull terriers at the house before Jade’s death.

The owner of the dogs, Beverley Concannon, has been co-operating with the police. No arrests have been made.

Supt Kenny said: “This is the start of a very detailed investigation. We need to establish what happened.

“It was an extremely difficult situation. The officers acted professionally and used shields to get the dogs into the garden so they did not escape and get into the community.

“They were dangerous, in our judgement. Jade was badly injured and, tragically, she died. The family is extremely upset and we are working to support them. They are in shock.”

The circumstances surrounding how the attack occurred are unclear, but it is thought Jade could have been eating a pie at the time.

Supt Kenny said: “Jade’s friend left around lunchtime to get a pie or warm a pie up at a neighbour’s house.

“There may well have been food around, but we don’t know what sparked the attack.”

A fifth dog, a Shih Tzu, was not involved and police did not regard it as a threat.

Supt Kenny would not comment on Jade’s injuries and said that a post mortem examination was under way.