UPDATE -- After a long night at Tampa General Hospital, the 4-year-old boy that was mauled by a dog will be returning home.
The father of the child tells us that his son is in good condition and is scheduled to be discharged Saturday afternoon.
The father says the dog involved in the attack is with Animal Control and is under a 10-day quarantine.
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PINE ISLAND, Fla. -- A small child in St. James City was flown to a hospital in Tampa, Friday, after he was mauled by a dog.
The incident happened in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie on Stringfellow Road. A witness said he heard parents screaming, before seeing a small child with a dog bite on his face. "I heard the mother and father crying out and the father said someone killed his child," said Shawn Brewer. "I ran forward to see what happened, and that's when I saw the child had a large chunk missing from his cheek."
According Lee County, which runs animal services, the incident is under investigation. The dogs whereabouts are unknown.
Brewer said he ran into Winn Dixie for help before a nurse, who happened to be in the store, offered the child assistance. "She put a compress to stave off the bleeding and she got on the phone and she was meticulous about the wound and what it was. I think the nurse, whoever it was, really helped that child," Brewer said.
Paramedics flew the young child to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown. Winn Dixie offered the following statement:
"We are taking this matter very seriously as the safety of our customers and associates is our highest priority. Our thoughts are with the child and family for a speedy recovery. We appreciate the timely response by law enforcement and are assisting them in any way we can."
