Dog captured in mauling of 1-year-old boy in French Valley

LOMA LINDA, Calif. (KABC) -- A dog believed to have mauled of a 1-year-old boy in French Valley was captured on Saturday.

Animal Services impounded the dog, a 6-year-old Labrador mix named Dexter, at a home around the corner from the park where 1-year-old Kaidyn Sutton was attacked on Friday. The child's godmother positively identified the dog. She was present with Kaidyn's mother during the attack and was said to have fought off the dog. The dog was originally described as a Rottweiler to animal officials.

Doctors at Loma Linda Children's Hospital said the child has suffered nerve damage to his face.

Kaidyn Sutton's grandfather Glenn Garrett told Eyewitness News Saturday morning that the toddler's nerve injuries may affect his ability to move certain parts of his face, including his eyebrows. Garrett said surgeons told him they may be able to repair the damage later with follow-up operations.

Garrett said thankfully, Kaidyn is currently in stable condition and resting comfortably.

"Right now, we're all just concerned with Kadyn," said Garrett. "I'm glad we have closure, I'm glad we can get this dog off the street, I'm glad there's not a possibility of this ever happening to another child."

The toddler was attacked while playing at Emerald Park at 31736 Emerald Drive Friday around 4 p.m. His mother said she heard her son screaming and saw a large black and tan dog, possibly a Rottweiler, grabbing him.

The dog bit Kaidyn in the forehead, temple to temple. His mother tried to get the dog off of her son, but the dog lunged again, this time biting Kaidyn in the right cheek and jaw, ripping it down to the bone.

Kaidyn's mother said she takes her son to that park almost every other day, and she has never seen the large dog before. She said the dog did not have a collar or leash.

A hearing will be held to determine if Dexter is safe enough to be returned to its owner. Riverside County Animal Services says there is no record of any prior incidents involving Dexter. The dog was licensed, vaccinated and micro-chipped, officials said.

Some neighbors say they are shocked and say he has never been aggressive before, but others say there have been problems.

Dexter's owners would not comment on the pending case.