Police officer's five-year-old son mauled by family dog

ILLINOIS -- According to neighbors the child was brought to Children’s Hospital after a vicious dog attack. The chaotic scene left the family shaken and the family dog shot dead.

Wood River police have confirmed that an officer’s 5-year-old son was attacked by the family dog, a 120 pound, 18-month-old English Mastiff. The attack happened on Wednesday at around 3:30 pm on Grand Avenue.

Police say the 5-year-old; 40 pound child was playing with the new dog in the backyard when his mother heard a scream and found him unconscious and bleeding on the ground.

Three officers arrived on the scene cornered the dog and put the dog down. A dog neighbors say never showed any signs aggression.

The child was transported by Arch Helicopter and neighbors say he will need surgery.  At this point there’s no word on the child’s condition but he was breathing when emergency crews arrived.

(fox2now.com - ‎May 6, 2015‎)