Riverside County Deputies Search For Large Dog That Mauled Toddler

FRENCH VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Officials are searching for a large dog that severely mauled a toddler in Riverside County.

The dog was running loose and attacked the boy in a neighborhood park in French Valley, police told CBS2/KCAL9's Andrea Fujii.

"I heard him start screaming so I ran over to grab him," the boy's mother Michaela Sutton said. "And when I picked him up I want to trun because the dog lunged at him again."

Kaidyn Sutton, who turns two years old next month, was left with huge gashes on his face.

"It was across the forehead and then there was another one on the side of his jaw. But he had barely nipped it, but it took the skin off," the mother said.

"It's horrifying...my first reaction was to get him to the car as fast as I could."

The mother said the dog then ran off.

The Sutton family shared their story as a warning to other parents in the area.

The boy's grandfather Glenn Garrett said he's worried, "knowing that this dog is still out there and for this dog to attack a baby with such force."

Riverside County Sheriff's deputies said they're looking for the dog, which was described as having black and tan markings similar to a Rottweiler. It's unclear if the dog was a stray.

Kaidyn Sutton's mother said he's in fair condition but will need multiple surgeries.