SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary : The Local Review / DEVELOPMENTS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Boy in Critical Condition From Dogs’ Attack

A 7-year-old Panorama City boy was in critical condition Tuesday night after he was repeatedly bitten by several dogs, authorities said.

The attack occurred about 7 p.m. when the boy was at the home of a 10-year-old neighbor in the 7800 block of Peachtree Avenue near Ranchito Avenue Elementary School, said Los Angeles Police Lt. William Guerrero.

Guerrero said the dogs--German shepherds that were kept in the backyard--somehow got into the house and attacked the boy in the living room.

“The boy was bitten on his body, scalp and face multiple times,” Guerrero said. “There were puncture wounds and cuts.”

An adult at the friend’s house helped free the boy from the dogs’ jaws and the youngster was able to run home, where his mother called paramedics. A short time later, the boy was taken by helicopter to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in Hollywood. The dogs were removed from their home by animal control officers.