Dog that mauled four-year-old girl to death at home 'was family pet'

The victim has not yet been formally identified but has been named in reports as Alice Stones.

Dog that mauled four-year-old girl to death at Milton Keynes home ‘was family pet’ ITV/Good Morning Britain

The dog at the centre of a fatal attack on a four-year-old girl in Milton Keynes on Tuesday was a family pet, police have said.

The victim has not yet been formally identified but has been named locally as Alice Stones.

Thames Valley Police said officers were called to a house in Broadlands, Netherfield, Milton Keynes, by the ambulance service just after 5pm on Tuesday.

The youngster died at the scene and the dog has since been out down, the force said.

The victim has not yet been formally identified but has been named locally as Alice Stones.ITV/Good Morning Britain

In an update on Wednesday, superintendent Marc Tarbit said: “The child’s family are being supported by specially-trained officers and we’d ask that their privacy is respected.

“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.

Officers are working to establish the breed of the dog.ITV/Good Morning Britain

“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.”

Officers are working to establish the breed of the dog.

Anyone with information about the attack has been asked to call 101, quoting reference 20230131-1546.

Alternatively, people can make a report online, or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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