A 2-year-old Manteca boy was transported via helicopter to a hospital outside of the area on Sunday morning after sustaining a series of life-threatening dog bites from a pair of family pets.

Manteca District Ambulance and Manteca Fire Department personnel responded to a call on the 1700 block of Cook Avenue just after 8 a.m. on March 30 after a family was awoken by the sound of growling dogs and a screaming child.

The victim’s mother and her parents ran out into the upstairs hallway to discover the family’s two four-year-old dogs – a pit bill and a boxer-lab mix – attacking the child. They separated the dogs into a nearby bedroom and called 911. 

When EMS personnel arrived they discovered that the child had suffered bites and lacerations to the back of his neck, his cheek and his forehead. The injuries were serious enough that a medical transport helicopter was called for and he was flown to a specialized hospital. 

He underwent surgery to repair broken facial bones and repair lacerations, and is still in the intensive care unit. He is expected to survive. 

The family released custody of the two dogs to Manteca Animal Control. They will be quarantined for 10-days before a decision about their future is made.