The family of a Knowlton Township boy mauled by three dogs in 2004 can move forward with a civil suit, according to a New Jersey Superior Court ruling Tuesday.

A lower court threw out the suit filed by Kodi Dalman's parents against their landlords. The dogs' owner, who was their neighbor at the time of the attack, was not a party to this ruling.Dalman was 5 in July 2004 when he tripped and fell in the backyard and was pounced on by three mastiffs owned by Anthony Braxton. All three dogs were later euthanized. Another dog initially was suspected in the attack, but it was later found that pet was trying to protect the boy.

New Jersey State Police say Dalman, now 9, suffered multiple bite wounds to his head, chest, back and upper thigh. He underwent more than eight hours of surgery to repair his wounds the day after the attack.

The suit alleges the Dalmans and Braxton's landlords, Raymond and the late Eleanor George, knew the dogs were vicious and did nothing about it.

Brian O'Toole, attorney for the estate of Eleanor George, said he thinks the lower court had it right and the appellate made a mistake.

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