The neighbors heard the mother scream, "She's dead! She's dead!"
Trigger warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of violence that some readers may find distressing
A family in Netherfield is shaken up after their daughter was mauled to death by their pet dog. On Tuesday night in Netherfield, officers responded to a home on Broadlands after receiving a report that a dog had bitten a youngster in the backyard. The attack, which occurred at around 17:00 GMT, was described by Thames Valley Police as a "tragic occurrence," according to a spokesperson. The animal was "humanely destroyed," but no one has been arrested.
No other people were harmed due to the event, according to the police, who are still on the site. Specially trained cops are providing help to the child's family. Police Superintendent Matt Bullivant said, per The Guardian, “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.”
A candlelit vigil has been held for a 4-year-old girl, who died in a dog attack in Milton Keynes. She was killed by a family pet in a back garden in the Netherfield area on Tuesday afternoon. Flowers and soft toys have also been left outside the house #HeartNews pic.twitter.com/nw8YxdmZDF
— Heart News East (@HeartNewsEast) February 2, 2023
The family of the 4-year-old, Alice Stones, said they are still processing the tragedy. A relative told the Independent that her family is "trying to come to terms" with the "horrendous" incident. After the dog attacked Alice, neighbors reported hearing her mom, Louise cry. Locals laid flowers outside Alice's home this morning, and some have spoken of Alice's mother's "desperate screams" when her child was killed by the pet, which neighbors allege the family purchased about six weeks ago. “I heard ‘She's dead! She's dead!’ a neighbor said. ‘They'll stay with me forever. It was a nightmare. I'm heartbroken. They will haunt me.”
Terrible tragedy here in Milton Keynes - a 4 year old girl has been killed in a dog attack in her back garden. Forensic officers will be back here soon to continue their investigation. @GMB pic.twitter.com/jJBq2go0tw
— Nick Dixon (@NickDixonITV) February 1, 2023
“I always saw the little girl on the way to school with her mum because she is the same age as my daughter. I heard screams of the little girl coming from the garden but I didn't know what was going on,” 36-year-old Rita Matthews, a neighbor of the family said. “Lots of police cars turned up and we were all told to stay inside. I then saw on Facebook what had happened and was shocked. I had never heard any dog noises coming from the house before and I don't think they even have a dog of their own. I feel so sad because I have four children and I feel for the little girl's mother,” Matthews said, expressing empathy for the mom of the child.
References:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/milton-keynes-dog-maul-death-b2273441.html
Cover Image Source: YouTube | Sky News
