Boy Mauled by Dog, Home with Family

A 4-year-old had to undergo several surgeries after being severely mauled by a dog nearly a month ago. The little boy is now home with his family.

Nathaniel Stafford is a sweet, shy boy who loves dogs despite what happened to him nearly a month ago.

"As far as him not having hair here or half of an ear, it doesn't matter. I have my son. I'm thankful," said Nathaniel's mother, Julie Stafford.

Nathaniel was in his backyard on Granite Drive when he was severely mauled by a neighbors pit-lab mix, named chaos. The dog ripped off the boys scalp and tore his ears off.

"I will never underestimate a dog, never again," she said.

Julie Stafford said her son has had six surgeries in three and a half weeks and he'll have to have skin grafts for the next year.

Stafford said her son was only outside alone for a few minutes before she realized he was not in the house. That's when she heard him whimpering.

"As soon as I walked around the building, that dog stuck his head up. That made me run straight over there. That dog has my son in his mouth and he was eating him alive," she said.

Nathaniel's mother said, even as she was scooping up her son, the dog continued to bite her on the arm.

"When I found him, both of his ears were off. The whole top of his head was off," said Julie.

Stafford said she has always loved dogs. In fact, she's always let her children play with dogs but she said, after what happened to Nathaniel, things have changed.

Authorities with Rockdale County Animal Control said the dog, Chaos, was euthanized after its quarantine period and no charges will be filed in the case.

If you would like to help with the medical cost for Nathaniel, his family has set up a bank account at Suntrust Bank under the names Brian Caron and Nathaniel Stafford.