Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence at 2425 W. Wall St., just east of Wadesboro late Monday afternoon at 4:44 p.m., where a small child had been badly mauled by a neighbor's pit bulldog.

Damarias Knotts, 10, was bitten around the head, neck and legs by the pit bull. The child had been playing in the backyard with his brother when the pit bull attacked. The brother tried to get the dog off but could not and ran into the house and got his mother. The mother, Tammy Grace, was able to get the dog off her son and take him inside her house until officers and EMS arrived. The child was taken to Anson Community Hospital, then airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Officers were able to corner and catch the dog until the dog warden arrived. The dog is being held by the Anson County Health Department until further action is taken. Officers identified the owner of the dog as Morris Knotts (no relation to the victim), of 2465 W. Wall St. Officers said that there were nine other pit bulls chained behind the owner’s house.

Family members reported the child was taken into surgery early Tuesday morning. His current condition is unknown.

Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen said his officers would turn over their report to the District Attorney for any further action.