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4-year-old severely bitten by family dog in attack

THURSTON Co., Wash. — A 1 1/2-year-old American bulldog is being held in quarantine in Thurston county after attacking and mauling a 4-year-old boy.

Thurston County sheriff's investigators said the boy was trying to stop the dog from going outside at the apartment where he lives with his mother around 11 a.m. Wednesday when the dog suddenly went after him.
 
"Apparently that aggravated the dog, and the dog attacked, biting his face," said Thurston County Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Cliff Ziesemer.
 
The bites to the boy's face were so deep, parts of his skull were exposed. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for surgery.

Investigators say the boy's mother had purchased the dog, named Smash, from a Craigslist ad 10 days ago. Smash remains in the custody of Thurston County animal control while investigators check to see if there have been problems with him in the past.
 
"The previous owner is going to be contacted to see if there's any history," said Ziesemer. A history of biting or aggressive behavior could mean criminal charges for the previous owner.
 
Smash will be held in quarantine to be certain he is not infected with rabies. If the new owner doesn't take him back, he will be euthanized.

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