JACKSONVILLE, NC (AP) — An 8-year-old boy from the Jacksonville area is hospitalized after being mauled by three pit bulls outside his family’s mobile home.
Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller tells local media outlets that deputies arrived at the home about noon on Tuesday to find the child trying to escape the dogs.
One of the dogs was shot and killed when it attacked a deputy. A second was wounded as officers began first aid on the child.
The child, who was not identified, had injuries to the neck, torso and ear. The sheriff says the dogs belonged to the child’s family and his parents arrived home during the attack.
The third dog ran away but was later recaptured. The dogs that are still alive were turned over to an animal services agency.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)