Family dog rips off Jurupa Valley toddler’s ear

A toddler’s ear was ripped off Wednesday morning by his family’s pit bull, Riverside County officials said.

The 18-month-old Jurupa Valley boy was supposed to be taking a nap, but instead wandered into his backyard at about 7:45 a.m. where he was attacked by a 2-year-old male pit bull named Poncho, said John Welsh, spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

After hearing the toddler’s screams for help, a group of neighbors grabbed baseball bats and headed to the home. When officers arrived at the home on Pontiac Avenue, they found the neighbors still holding baseball bats.

It is unclear whether the neighbors attacked the dog, Welsh said.

The toddler was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center to be treated for the injury.

“It just broke my heart – he’s just a baby,” animal control Officer Tiffany Fuller said in a statement. “To see him in that shape, in that condition. He’ll be scarred for life.”

Soon after the attack, the toddler’s mother surrendered the pit bull to be euthanized. She told animal control officers the dog was not known to be violent.

For breaking news throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.