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Authorities Seize Dog That May Have Mauled Boy

FRENCH VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities have taken a dog into custody that they believe attacked a 23-month-old boy in Riverside County on Friday.

CBS2's Greg Mills was in French Valley, just east of Murietta, on Saturday afternoon when Animal Services took the dog, a 6-year-old Lab-mix named Dexter, into custody after he was identified by a witness to the attack on Kaidyn Sutton.

"Obviously, the dog has to be put down," Kaidyn's grandfather, Glenn Garrett, told Mills.

The boy was playing in Primrose Park on Friday while his mother and godmother were watching him. Suddenly, a dog viciously attacked Kaidyn, the adults said, tearing his forehead and severing nerves. As his mother rescued the boy and tried to get away, the dog attacked again, this time tearing Kaidyn's cheek.

"He's still alive, by the grace of God my grandson is still alive," Garrett said, while out canvassing the neighborhood near the park Saturday in an effort to locate the dog. "I think I'm still in shock. I haven't slept. I don't plan on sleeping until I find this animal."

Information from knocking on doors led them to a house two doors down from the park, and the family's pet. Riverside County deputies sent a picture of Dexter to the boy's godmother, who witnessed the attack. She then drove up from San Diego and identified the dog.

"Instantly, upon seeing the dog, she knew that was the dog she had to fight yesterday," Garrett said.

The boy's mother, Michaela Sutton, said Kaidyn is expected be released from the hospital on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it will be up to Animal Services to investigate the incident and determine if the dog has to be put down.

RELATED STORY:
Riverside County Deputies Search For Large Dog That Mauled Toddler

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