Donations for Amiyah Dunston, killed by pit bull in Elmont, top $26,000

Amiyah Dunston, 9, of Baldwin, was fatally mauled Sunday, Nov.... — Amiyah Dunston, 9, of Baldwin, was fatally mauled Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, by a pit bull as she played in a friend's backyard in Elmont. At right, Investigators at the scene on Holland Avenue in Elmont on the day of the attack. Credit: Robert Stridiron

By LAURA BLASEYlaura.blasey@newsday.comNovember 11, 2015

Donors to an online campaign have raised more than $26,000 for relatives of a Baldwin girl killed Sunday in an Elmont pit bull attack, according to a close family friend who also said the 9-year-old's funeral is set for Saturday.

Supporters of Amiyah Dunston's family set up the fundraising drive on GoFundMe.com to help with costs related to the funeral and other expenses, a statement on the website read.

"We, the family and friends of Amiyah Kayla Dunston are sadden by the tragic loss of our princess," the description says. "She was a beautiful, smart and loving girl who touched the lives of all who knew her."

The pit bull attacked Amiyah on Sunday morning as she played with two friends in the backyard of an Elmont home. A Nassau police officer responding to a 911 call shot and killed the dog. Police arrested the pit bull's owner at the scene on an unrelated charge of violating an order of protection.

Amiyah was pronounced dead a few hours later at Franklin Hospital.

Nicole Robinson, the author of the GoFundMe page, did not respond to requests for comment. Brian Willis, the fiance of Dunston's mother, Mayra Castillo, confirmed the page is going to benefit their family.

Willis said a viewing for Amiyah is scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Zion Cathedral Church in Freeport. Her funeral is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, followed by burial at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale, Willis said.

"Thank you very much on behalf of me and the family," Willis said when reached by phone Wednesday night.

The initial goal of $15,000 was surpassed two days after the donations started rolling in from friends, family, community members and others who chose to remain anonymous. Many donors included words of condolence with their contributions.

"To my little 'super star,' your smile was infectious and your spirit lifted others," wrote a donor identified as Christopher Greer.

Another donor, identified as Andrew Nadien, said of Amiyah, "I am blessed to have shared so much teaching time with you!"

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