Armed cops swoop on Milton Keynes house where dog savaged four-year-old girl to death: Neighbours were told to stay indoors as police cornered the animal before destroying it

• Milton Keynes residents were told to stay inside as armed police cornered a dog
• The animal savaged a four-year-old girl to death in a back garden last night 

Armed officers swooped on a home in Milton Keynes after a four-year-old girl was mauled to death by a dog last night.

Neighbours were ordered to stay indoors as police cornered the animal before ‘humanely’ destroying it.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene after having been seriously injured in the attack in the back garden of her home in Broadlands, Netherfield. Her official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. 

Police say no one else was hurt and the girl’s family is being supported by specially trained officers. 

Armed officers swooped in on a home in Milton Keynes last night after a four-year-old girl was mauled to death by a dog

Neighbours were ordered to stay indoors as police cornered the animal before ‘humanely’ destroying it. Pictured: Thames Valley Police on the scene of the attack

Officers and paramedics responded to a home in Broadlands, Netherfield just past 5pm yesterday after receiving reports that a dog had attacked a child in the back garden of a property

Officers and paramedics responded to a home in Broadlands, Netherfield just past 5pm yesterday after receiving reports that a dog had attacked a child in the back garden of a property.

Residents were instructed by police to stay inside in case the dog were to escape.

‘Those of us who live in Broadlands been told not to leave our homes,’ a resident told The MK Citizen last night.

The householder described seeing ‘so many police and blue lights about’ the neighbourhood, claiming it was ‘really worrying.’

An aerial view of a property in Broadlands, Netherfield shows how police cordoned off the area after a four-year-old girl died last night

Forensic tents and police vehicles are pictured at the scene in Milton Keynes last night

The child was pronounced dead at the scene after having been seriously injured in the attack. Her official cause of death has not been disclosed. Police are pictured at the scene yesterday

The newspaper claims that some homes in the area were evacuated as police warned residents ‘may hear a gunshot.’

Police confirmed last night that the dog has since been ‘humanely destroyed’, but did not disclose the method in which it was killed.

No arrests have been made in connection with the investigation.

Thames Valley Police Superintendent Matt Bullivant said last night: ‘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.

Armed police arrived at the scene and told neighbours to stay in their houses

Residents were instructed by police to stay inside in case the dog were to escape. Pictured: Police at the the crime scene last night

A bouquet of flowers was left near the crime scene last night in remembrance of the four-year-old girl who was killed by the dog

‘This is an absolutely tragic incident in which we believe that a child has been killed after being attacked by a dog,’ Thames Valley Police Superintendent Matt Bullivant said last night. Police are pictured at the scene last night

READ MORE: Four-year-old girl is mauled to death in dog attack in Milton Keynes back garden 

Officers were called by the ambulance service shortly past 5pm Tuesday after a report that a dog had attacked a child in the back garden of a property in Broadlands, Netherfield (pictured)

‘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.

‘I understand how much of an impact this will have on the community and on the wider public, and people can expect to see a large police presence in the area this evening and beyond while our investigation continues.

 ‘I would like to reassure people that there is no reason to believe there is any danger to the wider public at this time.

‘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.

‘I also understand that this case is likely to attract attention from the media. With this in mind I would like to ask that the privacy of the family involved is respected at this very difficult time. It is impossible to imagine what they must be going through at the moment.’

The force urged anyone with information about the incident to call 101 quoting reference number 20230131-1546 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Reports can also be made online.

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