Family Pit Bull Attacks Toddler, Bites Off Boy's Ear

JURUPA VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A toddler was severely injured Wednesday morning when the family's pit bull attacked him, ripping off the child's ear, authorities said.

The incident happened shortly before 7:45 a.m. in the back yard of a home on Pontiac Avenue in Jurupa Valley, the Riverside Department of Animal Services said.

The child, who is about a year and a half old, was being babysat by his grandmother and was supposed to have been taking a nap when the attack occurred.

"Somehow, the boy ended up outside in the back yard with the dog, and that's when the grandmother heard the boy screaming," Fuller said.

The dog, named Poncho, ripped off the child's left ear

The boy was taken by ambulance to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.

Riverside County Animal Services dispatched two officers the home to retrieve the dog for euthanasia.

When they arrived, neighbors were wielding baseball bats.

"They were standing outside with bats because they heard the attack and went out to help the boy," Officer Tiffany Fuller said.

The dog did not show any sign of aggression when officers approached the animal, and the owner said they had never experienced any prior issues with the dog.