Lincoln Animal Control officials say a 10-year-old boy had to get 30 stitches after being attacked by a Pit Bull Wednesday afternoon.

Animal Control Director Robert Westfall says the boy, Baylee Harris, was riding his bike in an alley in the 3600 block of Huntington Avenue while 51-year-old Lisa Burton was walking her 10-month-old Pit Bull, King.

Westfall says the dog pulled away from Burton, knocked the boy off his bike and bit him several times in the head, face and arms. Harris was taken to the hospital for 30 stitches.

"He made me fall from my bike by getting front of me," said Baylee. "So I slammed on my brakes and I fell off and the dog started biting me.

And the dog continued to biting. Baylee said he tried to kick the dog away, but it was too strong.

"When I got outside he was covered in blood and there were two people already on the phone to 911," said Heather Harris, Baylee's mother.

Neighbors stood by horrified.

"I tried to help but it all happened so fast. By the time I got over there the kid was already on the ground bleeding," said Mitchell Moore, a neighbor.

According to Westfall, The dog is in custody.

"Our officers who responded to the call described the dog aggressive," said Westfall. "This will definitely fall under the category of dangerous or viscous."

Westfall said Pit Bulls are the leading breed when it comes to reported attacks in Lincoln. He said 38 pit bull attacks have happened since September. However, he said his department doesn't yet support breed specific laws, and Lincoln doesn't have any.

"We don't feel we have enough evidence to show a breed ban will work in Lincoln," said Westfall.

However, Baylee's mother said her son is all the evidence she needs.

"Not just Pit Bulls, all dangerous dogs," said Heather Harris. "I think there needs to be stricter laws."

"I'm lucky he didn't get deep down in my bones and he didn't kill me," said Baylee.

As for future fears...

"I'm kind of scared still."

But he too is only critical of the breed.

"Yes, I will be scared of Pit Bulls. But will I be scared of other dogs? no," said Baylee.

Animal Control cited Burton for having a dog at large and not having a license for the dog.

Even with 30 stitches Baylee went to school Thursday. His mother said he's a brave boy, but also said the attack made him scared of big dogs. Heather Harris said she is upset this happened, and wishes dog owners were more in control of their dogs.

Westfall said he will declare the dog either dangerous or vicious at the end of his investigation which should wrap up in the next two days.

A vicious declaration means animal control will take the dog from it's owner. A dangerous declaration requires a $35-per-year fee, notifications if the dog is moved and a special kennel. Since Burton lives in an apartment and won't likely be able to construct a kennel, she will likely have to give up the dog no matter the designation.

Westfall said there are 851 Pit Bull and Pit Bull mixes licensed in Lincoln.
Since September of 2008 there have been 38 Pit Bull bites in the city. The next closest breed in number of bites are Labs at 27 and German Shepherds at 21