A 15-year-old boy is in the hospital after police say he was attacked by a dog.
It happened on the 5900 block of Shisler Street in the Oxford Circle section of the city.
Police say two pit bulls escaped their owner's home on the 5900 block of Belden Street. Witnesses say the victim was with a group of boys when at least one of the escaped dogs began to chase them. While his friends managed to get on top of a neighbor's car behind a fence, the victim didn't make it.
"It was crazy," said Carolyn Stegall. "I was petrified. I was crying. All of his friends were crying."
"His arm was wide open," said Tahir Green. "His eyelid was hanging off, his mouth was bloody, face cut up, clothes ripped up and he was just lying there."
"I kept telling him, climb the fence, climb the fence," said Stegall. "If he would have lied down they would have really got them. That's how vicious those dogs were, it was crazy."
"It could have been any little kid around here," said Brina Marcellus. "It could have been anybody."
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"It could have been me," said Tahir Green. "I really feel sorry for that kid."
The teen suffered multiple bite wounds to his face and body. He was taken to Einstein Hospital.
One person who identified himself as the nephew of the dogs' owner also spoke to NBC10. He insisted the dogs are normally friendly and that he is sorry to hear what happened.
Both dogs were taken to animal control. Investigators say the owner of the animals was given a summary citation by police for dangerous dogs.
No word yet on the teen’s condition or if any other charges will be filed.
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