The tragic death of little Alice Stones: Family of girl, 4, mauled to death by pet dog ‘overwhelmed with love’ from community
NETHERFIELDS, ENGLAND: The family of a four-year-old girl who died after being mauled by their pet dog says they have been 'overwhelmed with love' in the aftermath of the heartwrenching incident. Little Alice Stone, 4, was brutally attacked by what neighbors described as a ‘bulldog-type’ animal in her backyard in Broadlands, Netherfields, on Tuesday evening, January 31. Immediately after, the police gunned down the dog who attacked the child and its breed is yet to be confirmed.
Online fundraising launched by the family friends is helping the single mother, Louise Stones, 25, as she gets ready for her daughter's burial. It was launched on Thursday, February 2 to help give the "most special and beautiful send-off this little princess deserves". On a recent update on their GoFundMe page, Grace Wenham, a family friend uploaded a fresh picture of little Alice blowing out the candles on her 4th birthday cake in August along with a message from Alice's distraught mother and their family. The fund, which will cover Louise's burial and living expenses, is currently close to $5,400.
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'Overwhelmed with the love'
Ms. Wenham wrote alongside the picture, "The family of the little girl want to thank everyone who has donated, shared or sent their condolences during this horrendous time. Nothing has gone unnoticed and they are overwhelmed with the love felt by the community during this unthinkable tragedy".
Locals in the Milton Keynes neighborhood's Netherfield estate reported hearing "an excitable" dog growling and barking at or about the time the child was assaulted. The dog, which the family is said to have adopted just a few weeks ago, was cast aside by armed police after they arrived at the scene at approximately 5 pm, Louis was heard crying out "she's dead, she's dead" after seeing the vicious attack. One neighbor said of the incident, "They’ll stay with me forever. It was a nightmare. I’m heartbroken. They will haunt me." Alice’s grieving grandfather, who lives less than a mile from the scene, said, "We’re just trying to come to terms with what has happened. It’s horrendous."
Alice was their only child
Rita Matthews, a "heartbroken" neighbor, recalled that she and Alice's mother Louise used to walk most mornings to the neighborhood elementary school. She said: "Alice was their only child. My daughter went to the same school and we would often walk together. "I never saw her with a dog, and she had never mentioned that they had got one. It is just heartbreaking and I cannot imagine what Louise is going through." Lesley Dwyer, 65, said: "We came along past the house last night and heard a dog barking in the (victim’s) garden. It sounded like it was quite excited, it was growling and barking. I didn’t see it, but it sounded like a big dog – we have a dog and you can tell." She added: "It is just really sad."
Flowers were placed outside the end-of-terrace residence, which was surrounded by blue police tape. A message said: "Rest in peace beautiful girl." Another message, written by residents in Netherfield read, "Thinking of you at this sad time." One of them read, "Alice!! Fly high with the angels little one. The whole community will miss your smile. Our thoughts are with the whole family, especially her mum."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences and called it a "horrific incident" during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Alice's tragic death will completely devastate the neighborhood, according to local ward councilor Donna Fuller. She added, "There is an overwhelming sense of sadness and shock this has happened."
