(August 2017) Idaho: Boy, 8, loses part of his nose after family friend's Pit Bull attacks him

IDAHO -- A Boise mom is looking for justice for her 8-year-old son after she says he was attacked by a dog on July 31.

"It's every parent's worst nightmare," said Sarah Phillips.

It started when Phillips dropped her son Dylan Alvarado off at his father's house.

"I got a phone call from his father just completely hysterical," Phillips said. "I needed to get to St. Luke's downtown, Dylan had been attacked in the face by a dog and that it was bad."

The pit bull belonged to a friend of Dylan's father who came over.

"They were in the home no longer than 5 minutes before the animal attacked Dylan," Phillips said.

Phillips says the attack was unprovoked.

"The damage is horrific but we're extremely lucky," said Phillips. "I mean we're lucky that we still have him."

In the attack, Dylan lost part of his nose.

"They did a skin graft from behind his right ear," Phillips said. "He is missing pieces so they are trying to fill in those pieces, that's why he's got a little sponge sewn on holding that graft on right now."

There are many more procedures and surgeries to be done. The main concern is the possibility of a collapsed nostril.

"He's got a long couple of months, we're looking at missing the first couple weeks of third grade," said Phillips.

For now Dylan is in good spirits and is not afraid to play with his dog Ruby, but that may not always be the case.

"I am worried about the first time we encounter an animal in public and how it's going to affect him," Phillips said. "These owners and these animals should be held accountable for how they affect and dramatically change people's lives."

Phillips contacted the Boise Police Department to file a report. KTVB reached out to them and a spokesperson says while they can't speak to this particular case, in general if an attack is unprovoked and there wasn't evidence of intent or negligence they cannot press criminal charges against the owner for injury to a child.

"Our job right now is to prevent this from happening to anyone else and their family," Phillips said. "We can't prevent it all but when it does happen there needs to be some accountability."

KTVB also reached out to the Idaho Humane Society. They tell us the dog was taken in over the weekend and remains at their shelter. A spokesperson says they are talking with city attorneys about possibly pursuing a vicious dog case and possibly having a hearing.

GoFundMe: Help with Dylan's Medical Bills
Created August 6, 2017
Sarah Phillips
  Medical
  BOISE, ID

On Monday July 31st 2017. 8 yr old Dylan was Brutally attacked by a pit bull dog. Dylan has had one reconstructive plastic surgery and will require more surgeries in the coming weeks to repair his nose.

All Proceeds will go towards helping cover medical expenses, and any other associated expenses to help Dylan and his family through this tough time.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(KTVB - August 7, 2017)