Milton Keynes dog attack – Tragedy as little Alice Stones, 4, is mauled to death while mum’s horrifying screams heard
NEIGHBOURS of a young girl who was mauled to death by a dog have told how they heard her mum's horrifying screams.
Little Alice Stones, four, was attacked in her back garden in Milton Keynes shortly after 5pm yesterday before cops gunned down the killer hound.
Tragically the youngster was pronounced dead at the property on Broadlands, in the Netherfield area of the town.
Officers confirmed today the dog was a family pet and said they are working to establish the breed.
There have been no arrests and the horror is being treated as a "tragic, isolated incident".
Residents today told of the horrifying moment they realised she had died.
MORE ON DOG ATTACKS
One neighbour told The Sun: “We heard desperate screams last night. I heard ‘she’s dead! She’s dead!'
“It sounded like [her mum] Louise shouting. They were piercing screams.
“They’ll stay with me forever. It was a nightmare. I’m heartbroken. They will haunt me.
“It’s horrendous. Alice goes to school with my children. It’s so upsetting.
Most read in The Sun
It’s an absolute tragedy. Alice was so sweet. She was an angel.
“The police rushed here very quickly. I could not believe it.
“There is a dog there, it’s a big brown dog. I’ve only seen it at the house.”
Alice's heartbroken grandfather, who lives less than a mile down the road, today paid tribute to the little girl.
He said: “We’re just trying to come to terms with what has happened.
“It’s horrendous.”
DOG TRAGEDY
Another local said: “It’s an absolute tragedy. Alice was so sweet. She was an angel.
“I’m heartbroken. She and her mum were very close.
“I feel so sorry for them. It’s devastating. My heart goes out to her family.
“There were never any problems involving dogs. It’s so shocking.”
When police arrived after the attack they evacuated neighbours due to fears the hound could escape.
Video taken at the scene shows a police officer asking locals to move away from the home.
He warns residents: "If this dog gets out, somebody is going to get hurt."
Residents were warned they may hear a gunshot.
It is believed the dog was cornered by armed cops and was gunned down.
It is thought the family had only owned the dog for six weeks.
One man who lives near the family said: “They had the dog about six weeks, might be longer, maybe six to eight weeks.”
DOG DESTROYED
Superintendent Matt Bullivant said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident, in which we believe that a child has been killed after being attacked by a dog.
“Clearly, we are in the very early stages of an investigation, and it would be wrong and unhelpful to speculate as to the exact circumstances of this incident at this point.
“However, in order to ensure public safety, a decision was made earlier this evening to destroy the dog involved, and this has been done humanely.
“I understand how much of an impact this will have on the community and on the wider public, and people can expect to see a large police presence in the area this evening and beyond while our investigation continues.
“I would like to reassure people that there is no reason to believe there is any danger to the wider public at this time.
“Anyone with concerns should feel free to approach our officers and ask questions, but I urge people not to speculate about the circumstances, especially on social media platforms.
“I also understand that this case is likely to attract attention from the media.
"With this in mind I would like to ask that the privacy of the family involved is respected at this very difficult time.
"It is impossible to imagine what they must be going through at the moment.
“We will provide further updates when we are in a position to do so.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It comes after Natasha Johnston was mauled to death by an out of control dog on January 12.
The 28-year-old was attacked while walking a number of dogs in leafy Caterham, Surrey.
