Heartbreaking video shows smiling Alice Stones, 4, play in garden where family dog mauled her to death in horror attack

HEARTBREAKING video has shown a four-year-old playing in the garden where she was later mauled to death by the family dog.

Little Alice Stones, four, was attacked in her back garden in Milton Keynes shortly after 5pm yesterday.

Tragically the youngster was pronounced dead at the property on Broadlands, in the Netherfield area of the town.

Cops then gunned down the killer hound after evacuating neighbours from their homes.

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”.

Heartbreaking video shot in August shows Alice smiling and giggling in the garden while playing with bubbles.

The clip, posted by her grandmother, shows the curly-haired youngster enjoying the summer’s day with her family.

It comes after Alice’s devastated 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.”

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 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.
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.”