FLORIDA -- A Port St. Lucie man is recovering after being mauled by a pit bull.
Catherine Farro wasn't there to see the pit bull's attack on her husband but she has the pictures of the aftermath.
The pictures show 65-year-old Arthur Farro lying bandaged and bruised in his hospital bed after spending more than five hours in surgery.
"He had been bitten on both hands, forearms, back of his left leg, he also has bite marks on both feet, abrasions on his knees back, behind his legs," Farro told CBS 12.
Their neighbor across the street owns the pit bull that put Farro in the hospital.
Catherine Farro says they've never had problems with the dog in the past as it was usually on a leash and behind a gate. But Friday before Christmas that changed, when somehow, the dog got loose.
Farro was outside getting the mail for his neighbor. He walked across the street and when he got to the driveway that's when the victim's son says the attack happened. Kevin Farro says the dog jumped on his father, unprovoked, and knocked him to the ground.
During the struggle, he says bystanders tried to pry the dog off him, even stabbing the dog several times.
Ultimately, it was another neighbor who shot and killed it and Farro was rushed to the hospital where he is recovering.
"It's exhausting, it's awful an entire family has to spend Christmas in the ICU because of someone else's carelessness," said Kevin Farro.
Still, despite a traumatic past 24 hours Farro says there's a lot to be grateful for.
"Hugely thankful, blessed beyond belief that he's alive and moving," said Kevin Farro.
He hopes this situation will make pit bull owners keep a closer eye on their animals so something like this doesn't happen again.
"Be aware that this happens for no reason and be careful if you are near that type of dog," said Kevin.
There is no word yet on how long the recovery process may be for Farro, as doctors are still evaluating him.
(CBS12 - Dec 26, 2011)
