THE uncle of a four-year-old Liverpool boy tragically killed by his pitbull has pleaded with owners to hand in their dangerous dogs.

Christian Foulkes, 22, issued the warning moments before he was sentenced to four months in prison following the death of his nephew John Paul Massey.

The former Army recruit was led down to the cells in handcuffs at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday.

Foulkes, of Wavertree, had admitted possessing two illegal pitbulls – Uno and Lita – and a third count of using them to breed puppies.

Moments before his sentence, the Army recruit issued a heartfelt plea through his solicitor, saying: “Don’t make the same mistake I did.

“If you suspect your dog is dangerous, please identify it to the authorities. Do not take the risk because my nightmare is unbearable.”

His girlfriend Louise, pregnant with their second child, wept as District Judge Miriam Shelvey told Foulkes: “The loss of life of an innocent child was entirely the result of your negligence.”

Foulkes owned banned Uno, described in court as having “immense muscle mass and definition” and which “oozed phenomenal power and agility”.

John Paul was staying at his grandmother Helen Foulkes’ home in Ash Grove, Wavertree, on November 30 last year while his parents went for a night out.

He had asked for something to eat, but by the time Mrs Foulkes had returned with a bag of crisps, he was asleep.