Boy, 4, is recovering from pit bull attack, family says

NEW YORK -- Jayden Zweifach, 4, of Campbell Avenue in Port Richmond, was left with several lacerations and puncture wounds after being attacked by a pit bull during an outdoor family gathering, his family says.

"This is something you hear about, but nothing I've ever seen," says Stephen Monteleone, the grandfather of the victim about Thursday's mauling. "Attacking Jayden wasn't even a challenge for the dog, his head alone was bigger than him!"

According to the boy's mother, Michelle Monteleone, a neighbor opened his  apartment door and the pit bull came running out, pouncing on Jayden, who was playing with friends.

"When he got a hold of my son, he started shaking him viciously," said Ms. Monteleone. "There's lacerations to his face, two punctures on the back of his head and two on side of his head."

The dog is said to have attacked with nails and teeth until Jayden's father, Sanmiguel, was able to pry him away -- but the pit bull knocked the man down just seconds later.

"When my husband went to grab my son, the dog let go and tried to attack my husband," she added.

With the help of friends and family, the dog was pulled off Sanmiguel, who then rushed to the front of the house clutching injured Jayden.

Despite Ms. Monteleone's several phone calls to 911, EMS and FDNY did not immediately respond to the scene, she said. But the NYPD arrived and was able to  transport Jayden and his parents to Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.

Jayden was discharged Friday after an overnight stay in RUMC, but is due back soon for plastic surgery, his family said.

The dog was reportedly taken to an animal control site.

(SILive.com  - ‎Jun 26, 2015‎)