The family of a girl killed in a dog attack this week have spoken of the love and support they have been given as friends have begun raising money to pay for the funeral of a four-year-old girl killed in a dog attack in her own home.
Alice Stones, four, was killed in the back garden of her home on Tuesday evening. Police were called to the home in Milton Keynes, by the ambulance service and the child died at the scene.
Friends are now raising money online to support Alice's mum as she prepares for her daughter’s funeral. In an update on the GoFundMepage, pal Grace Wenham posted a new photo of little Alice.
It shows the tragic youngster blowing out candles on her birthday cake after turning four last August, reports The Mirror.
Grace posted a message from Alice’s grieving mum and other relatives. She wrote: “The family … 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.”
The fund now stands at nearly £3,000.
Her neighbours said she had got the dog just six weeks ago. Thames Valley Police said no arrests have been made and that investigators are working to establish the breed of the dog.
Around 100 people turned out to a vigil that had been organised at Grand Union Vineyard Church, Netherfield Campus, across the road from the house on Wednesday evening. Prayers were said for the family as people gathered, holding candles, in the darkness in a green space at the rear of the place of worship.
There were moments of reflection as music was played over speakers, including Amazing Grace and Over The Rainbow. Donna Fuller, a ward councillor for Woughton Community Council, said the area has a “tight-knit community, predominantly families”.
She said the vigil was to “enable the community to come together and draw strength from each other”.
Police at the scene on Broadlands (Joe Giddens/PA)
She added: “It will send a strong message to the family that we are thinking of them.” She said there is “such a sense of shock” and it is an “awful situation”.
She told gathered crowds: “This family will need the time and space to allow them to process this tragic event and I hope that we can do that and help them in the future. I would ask that we support each other.
“There is a feeling of deep sadness that we will feel as a community so I ask you to be neighbourly and I ask you to be supportive and most of all I ask you to be kind.”
Giving an update earlier on Wednesday, Superintendent Marc Tarbit said that the child’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.
Forensic officers worked at the address (Joe Giddens/PA)
“An investigation is currently under way to fully understand the circumstances but we currently believe that this was a tragic, isolated incident and there is no threat to the wider community,” he said. "Accordingly, no arrests have been made at this time.
“I can confirm that the dog was a family pet and was put down by police on the scene yesterday evening.”
Neighbour Rita Matthews, 36, said she would see the child while walking her own daughter to school and described the youngster as a “happy little girl, very happy”.
Among the floral tributes left to the youngster, 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.”
Police said there will be an increased presence of officers in the area with “reassurance patrols during early shifts and late shifts”.
