Hayden Stoll, 5, underwent surgery Friday after being pinned to the ground by a pit bull on the lawn of his family's Madison Avenue home in Herminie, Westmoreland County.
"It was a big dog, a real big one," said Hayden's 10-year-old sister, Cassidy, who witnessed the attack.
"I was crying and then I kicked the dog and ran and told mom."
The boy's father, William Stoll Jr., said he and his father, William Sr., fought the dog off with a rock after Hayden was attacked.
"His ear was actually ripped in half. They had to sew it back together," said Stoll Jr.
William Stoll Jr. said his son had a large laceration from his right ear to his jaw and puncture wounds on the left side of his face. The boy also suffered possible nerve damage, which means he may lose feeling in his face, the boy's father said.
Hayden remained in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh before returning home on Wednesday.
"He's having a really hard time. He's in a lot of pain. He points to his face," said Hayden's mother, Jennifer Stoll.
Hayden had trouble breathing on his own while hospitalized and was given morphine to help ease the pain.
He'll also need plastic surgery for years to come, his mother said.
Channel 4 Action News' Keith Jones reported that state police are investigating and the dog will be put down if its owner doesn't claim it by Nov. 28.
His family has called for the owner of the dog to come forward.
"Hayden deserves this. He deserves the justice. Please, I'm begging you, everyone," said Jennifer Stoll.
(WTAE - Nov 24, 2011)
Earlier:
