New Jersey: Pit bull attacks woman, children in Toms River. Neighbor stops attack by beating dog with a hammer.

NEW JERSEY -- A pit bull was voluntarily surrendered to animal control officials by its owner after it attacked a woman and her two children last week, News 12 New Jersey reported.

The dog ran to a neighboring home and bit the woman and the children as the children were headed to school. Both children were hospitalized, including a 4-year-old who needed 35 stitches after being pinned by the dog.

The mother was bitten on the arm as she tried to pull the dog off the child. A neighbor who heard the screams was able to stop the attack by striking the dog with a hammer.

The owner agreed to have the dog euthanized.

Toms River police referred additional questions on the incident to the township attorney's office Tuesday night.

(NJ.com - Nov 16, 2016)