Fallbrook Boy, 5, Mauled by Neighbor’s Pit Bull

A 5-year-old Fallbrook boy was reported to be improving at Children’s Hospital in San Diego Saturday after undergoing surgery to repair damage to his scalp and ear when a neighbor’s pit bull attacked him.

The youth, Garry Chisholm, was mauled when he apparently jumped a fence into the dog owner’s yard Friday after telling his baby-sitter that he was going to play with a friend. The boy also received numerous cuts and scrapes on his face and body.

The pit bull, which neighbors said had never attacked other neighborhood children, was impounded by county animal control officers. Agency officials said that they would decide Monday or Tuesday whether the dog will be destroyed and whether any charges will be filed against the dog’s owner.

The owner, Gabino De La Torre, found the shaken and bleeding youngster when he returned home from a trip to the beach Friday. He called paramedics and the boy was flown to Children’s Hospital about 4:30 p.m. He underwent surgery about two hours later.

Hospital spokeswoman Jeannie Berghorn said that the boy had improved and was alert Saturday but would continue to receive antibiotics. He could remain in the hospital for up to a week for observation, she said.