Pittsfield Boy attacked by pitbulls

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Two weeks ago, 29 year-old Jessyca Petell of Pittsfield witnessed the most horrifying experience of her life. Her 9 year-old son, Perrin, was attacked by three pitbulls.

"If you asked me to describe my worst nightmare, that wouldn't of even come close to what had happened...This wasn't a simple attack. My son was mauled", Petell told 22News.

Jessyca and her son returned home one night from visiting friends. When she opened the door to their Edward Ave. apartment, her landlord's son's dogs ran down the stairs--jumping on her son.

"They dragged him down to a grassy part that was right off our porch; and he just kept screaming, 'Mommy, help me--they're hurting me!'", described Petell.

Jessyca said her son was left seriously injured with puncture wounds, bites, and a deep gash in his head, that's roughly the size of a golf ball.

"As a parent, you're supposed to protect your child and you never, think walking into your own home, that something like this would happen", Petell said.

Jessyca and Perrin were no strangers to these dogs either, which she says worries her even more...

"We'd see them outside; we'd see them in the house...so we definitely weren't strangers at all--which I think makes it even more horrific. If they would do that to us, what would they do to just some stranger?", she said.

22News tried contacting the landlord and the landlord's son, but they did not answer the door to the home, or return our calls.

Pittsfield Police Captain John Mullin told 22News that the 3 pitbull terriers will stay at the Eleanor Soncini Animal Shelter, until the hearing next Thursday. Ultimately, a judge will decide where the dogs' next move will be. But many neighbors, like Michelle DiPalazzo are concerned and want to make sure the animals will not be allowed back on their street.

"I'm an animal lover, so I would love for the dogs not to be put down...unfortunately, they've drawn blood and they're going to do it again", said DiPalazzo.

22News spoke to Attorney Robert Fuster of Fuster Law Offices in Pittsfield. He has dealt with many animal law cases, and is also the Founder of the Berkshire Humane Society.

"Generally, when a dog bites, there's strict liability. Especially if it has happened before or if there have been complaints about the animal. It's very difficult to defend, unless there's taunting, somebody approaches the animal and hits the animal, or does something inappropriate to the animal", said Fuster.

But Perrin's family says that the process has already been very frustrating.

"Our system doesn't seem to be as good as some other states, which is something we're hoping we can change so that this experience does not happen to anybody else", said Petell.

Meantime, the recovery process for 9 year-old Perrin will not only be a physical one, but an emotional one as well. However, his mother says he's doing much better, and that she's thankful for the outpour of support from the community.

"It's crazy because you hear that, when something tragic happens, people pull together. It's just amazing", she said.

Make sure to stay with 22News as we continue to follow the latest on this story.