'Sweet' boy, 4, mauled to death by American Bully as police forced to kill dog

'Sweet' boy, 4, mauled to death by American Bully as police forced to kill dog Garcia Welch, four, was fatally attacked by an American Bully in Louisa, Virginia, on Sunday, with deputies forced to kill the dog to bring the attack to an end A four-year-old boy has been mauled to death by an American Bully just days after starting preschool. Garcia Welch died from his injuries following the dog attack in Louisa, in the US state of Virginia, on Sunday. Emergency services were called at 4.42pm local time after reports of a dog attacking a child near Jefferson Highway and School Bus Road, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies arrived to find the animal still biting the seriously injured boy. They were forced to kill the dog to bring the attack to an end, the sheriff's office said. Garcia was airlifted to hospital but was later pronounced dead. His family subsequently released his identity. Thomas Mason, who lives in the neighbourhood, said he watched from his home as paramedics arrived at the scene. "I saw a lot of the aftermath of the helicopter landing, all of that," he told WRIC ABC 8News. "So it was definitely a sad situation." Deputies identified the dog as an American Bully. An investigation is under way and further information about the incident, including who owned the dog, will be released when "available and appropriate", the sheriff's office said. Garcia had recently started attending preschool at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, according to an online fundraising appeal. The fundraiser, which was set up to help cover his funeral costs and support his mother, described Garcia as a "bright, sweet little boy" with a "beautiful smile". At the time of writing, the fundraiser had drawn more than $24,000 (£17,900). In an update on Wednesday, Indigo Pangea thanked people for their donations and messages on behalf of Garcia's family. She said: "The generosity and support from this community and the community-at-large is appreciated more than words can say. "Your kindness during this terrible tragedy will help ease some of the burden bearing down on this loving family. Please continue to hold them in your prayers."