Boy, 5, critically injured in pit bull attack in Brooklyn

EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A 5-year-old boy was stable Saturday morning after being critically injured in a mauling by two pit bulls inside a Brooklyn home.

Just before 7 p.m. on Riverdale Avenue in East New York, witnesses said Jeremiah Rivera's father ran to the street, pleading for help.

"His dad was really emotional," said Sincere Lawton, a neighbor. "We heard a yell, 'Oh, my God, oh my God, oh my God!' He was like, scared, he was panicking. He called the cops and said, 'The dog got my son's face.' His son came out with blood all over his face. So young, 5 years old."

He was taken to Brookdale Hospital in in cardiac arrest and then transferred to Long Island Jewish Hospital.

Two pit bull terriers were seized from the apartment. It is believed that both dogs were involved in the attack.

The child's uncle tells Eyewitness News that the dogs have lived with the family since late last year, without incident, until now.

What triggered the attack is still not clear.

"What he went through, I feel that no 5-year-old should go through that ever, it's horrible, horrible," the victim's uncle said.

Animal Care and Control has taken possession of the dogs and there is an active police investigation underway.