Toddler Mauled By Dog In French Valley Is Recovering

FRENCH VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A toddler is recovering Monday after being mauled by a dog in Riverside County last week.

According to authorities, the dog leapt into a grassy area at Primrose Park in French Valley and attacked 1-year-old Kaidyn last Friday after 3 p.m.

The child's mother, Michaela Sutton, told KCAL9's Tom Wait that her son was running in circles in front of her when she turned for a moment and asked her friend if the friend was ready to leave.

She says that's when she heard Kaidyn scream.

"I went and grabbed him and I went to turn so that it wouldn't bite him again but that's when it got his cheek," she recounted. "It was harder on the way to the hospital because it was hard to keep him awake. He just wanted to sleep on the way to the hospital and I was afraid for him to fall asleep."

Wait says the attack happened without warning.

Subsequent to the attack, based on a witness account, animal control officers impounded a 6-year-old Labrador-mix from a home nearby. The dog was being held until a decision was made about whether to euthanize it. The owner would not comment.

"I'm just hoping that they do test and make sure it is for sure the dog because I don't want a dog put down that didn't do it," Sutton said.

Meanwhile, Kaidyn was back home Monday after receiving dozens of stitches across his face, which was bandaged.

"It's amazing to see how well he's doing right now. I never thought that he would bounce back that quick," Sutton said. "He's been playing nonstop. It was hard to get him to go to bed last night because he just wanted to play."

The child's father, Christopher Sutton, told Wait, "I'm just glad to see his energy back up, playing around. I think he's healing great."

"The whole community came together from the church to seeing it all over the news, the community outreached to us and just wanted to give all their support to us," he added.

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