The child was reportedly playing in the kitchen while his mother was outside doing laundry. Deputies say the 80 pound pit bull grabbed the child by the neck and thrashed its head around while biting down on the child.
The boy's mother, Tamara Starkey, saw what was happening and ran inside to help the boy.
Family members quickly ran to the child's aid and beat the dog until it let go.
The child suffered serious injuries to his neck and was flown to a near by hospital. As of Monday morning, he is listed in serious, but stable condition.
The pit bull was seized by Manatee County Animal Services and has been placed in observation while they conduct their own investigation into the dog.
Deputies report the dog has had two prior bites, the first to its owner, Jeff Gregg, and the other to the owner's niece.
(ABC Action News - April 29, 2013)