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Toddler drowns in neighbour's pool after chasing her puppy through a fence

A two-year-old Perth girl has drowned in her neighbour's pool after chasing her puppy through a hole in the fence.

Latia Rose Cox's mother thought the little girl was playing inside the Balga house, but tragically found her in the water last month.

The child had followed her puppy outside and managed to squeeze through a small gap in a damaged side fence.

Latia's family are now urging other pool owners to check their fencing ahead of the launch of the Royal Lifesaving Society's pool safety awareness campaign.

Latia Cox drowned in her neighbour's pool after chasing her puppy outside. Photo: 7 News
Latia Cox drowned in her neighbour's pool after chasing her puppy outside. Photo: 7 News

Her grandmother, Michelle Nelson Cox, said her granddaughter's death needs to highlight the dangers of children and water.

Latia is one of two toddlers to die in a pool in the past fortnight.

  • Puppy stolen from little girl returned by thieves in the middle of the night

  • Heartbreaking warning from parents of child who died after five GP visits

New figures show more than 60 children aged under five have drowned in Western Australia in the past 15 years.

More than half the drownings were in home swimming pools.

Latia is one of two WA toddlers to die in a pool in the past fortnight. Photo: 7 News
Latia is one of two WA toddlers to die in a pool in the past fortnight. Photo: 7 News