I was bit by a Doberman as a kid.

Boy mauled by family dog goes home

'WELD COUNTY – A 9-year-old boy who was mauled by the family’s black Labrador Retriever is now home from the hospital.

Josh Jolliff was critically injured last week at his home in Erie when the family’s 8-year-old dog, named Gordie, attacked him.

Josh's ear and scalp were ripped off during the attack and he had to undergo extensive reconstructive surgery at The Children’s Hospital in Denver.

When police arrived, the dog charged an officer and the dog was shot and killed.

The family says the attack was unprovoked. They say the dog was chained outside and attacked Josh when the 9-year-old went over to pet him.

There are 4.7 million dog bites a year in the U.S.; 368,000 of those people end up in the hospital.

Studies show the highest risk factors include:

• The dog is an unneutered male.
• A family pet chained in a yard.
• The victim is under 12 years old.

The attack by Gordie fit all of those criteria.

Veterinarian Dr. Missy Tasky with the Gentle Hands Animal Clinic says all breeds will bite, but some can be more problematic.

'You have to remember that dogs are predatory animals, and any dog can bite,' said Tasky. 'Labs are in general pretty good, but they can be a little iffy sometimes. They can be high strung.'

Tasky says studies implicate several breeds as biters.

"Pit bulls because of their history; I wouldn't recommend German Shepards. Sometimes the northern breeds, the Akitas, can be a little high strung. Dobermans, occasionally Chows, especially can be aggressive,' she said.

However, Tasky wants to reinforce that the most common risk factors do not involve specific breeds.'