Girl, 4, killed in Milton Keynes dog attack is named locally as Alice Stones

The young girl killed in a dog attack has been named locally as Alice Stones. Credit: Facebook

A four-year-old girl killed in a dog attack has been named locally as Alice Stones.

The little girl from Milton Keynes has been described by neighbours as "lovely".

Floral tributes to the youngster have begun to pile up outside the house, with one of them reading: "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."

The attack happened at around 5pm on Tuesday, and neighbours reported hearing two gunshots and screams after police arrived on the scene.

Police told people in the area to remain inside as they dealt with the aftermath of what was later described by officers as an "incredibly tragic incident".

Neighbours who did not want to be named told ITV News Anglia they heard two gunshots after a heavy police presence arrived on the scene. The neighbours also reported hearing a woman scream.

Alice Stones, aged four, was killed in the dog attack.

The incident, which happened in the back garden has shocked the local community.

Rita Matthews, 36, who saw the girl yesterday while walking to school, described her as "lovely."

"I know the girl, I always pass her mum on my way to school. She's a lovely girl. It's so sad." she said.

Drone photographs show the aftermatch in the back garden Credit: PA

Donna Fuller, a ward councillor for Woughton Community Council, said the area had a “tight-knit community [and is] predominantly families”.

She added there was “such a sense of shock” and described it as an “awful situation”.

A vigil will be held at Grand Union Vineyard Church, Netherfield Campus, across the road from the house, at 7pm on Wednesday to “enable the community to come together and draw strength from each other”.

A woman and child lay flowers outside the house Credit: Joe Giddens/PA

The force said no one else was hurt in the attack, and no arrests have been made in the investigation.

Supt 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."

“I understand how much of an impact this will have on the community and on the wider public."

“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."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police on 101 and quote incident 20230131-1546.