DISCLAIMER: WPTV has chosen not to air surveillance video of the attack in its entirety due to its graphic nature, and out of respect to the child's family.



The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says a pit bull attacked a child in a Pahokee mobile home park Thursday afternoon.

According to PBSO, deputies responded to the Lake Breeze Mobile Home Park around 2:55 p.m.

Surveillance video obtained by WPTV on Friday shows the white dog approaching several students as they returned home from school.

The dog approaches the child, who's wearing a red shirt. As it does, the boy starts running away. The pit bull chases the child down, knocking him over and biting him for at least one minute.

Witnesses said they tried anything they could to get the dog off, including sticks. One stick broke in half as they tried to keep the dog away from the boy.

PBSO said as deputies tried to corral the pit bull, it charged at one of them. That deputy, in fear for the boy who was just attacked, as well as his own life and others, shot and killed the dog, according to the sheriff's office.

PBSO said the child had just returned home from school when he was attacked and badly bitten.

He was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

A witness said they saw someone drop off the dog in the area Thursday morning. Deputies are now trying to track down the animal's owner.

Animal Care and Control said the dog will be tested for rabies. Those results should be back Tuesday.