5-year-old boy injured in Thermal dog attack

THERMAL, RIVERSIDE COUNTY (KABC) -- A 5-year-old boy was bitten on his face and an arm by a German shepherd mix in a Thermal ranch-style property Friday afternoon.

The dog, named Pickett, was surrendered for euthanasia, according to John Welsh of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

Welsh says the boy, who lives at the property on the 88300 block of Avenue 57, was playing with other kids, and had converted a discarded weed-eater box into a costume, attracting Pickett's attention.

When the boy took off the costume, the dog freaked out and bit the boy at least twice.

Pickett's owner did not know how he got loose, Welsh said.

The boy's condition was not immediately available, but officials believe he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.