A seven-year-old boy who was severely injured from an attack by a local dog that shook him like a “dog chew” is slowly recovering.

Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Supervisor Karen Kessler revealed that he was slowly on the mend as she started a fundraising efforts to benefit the boy, identified as Conner Landers.

A neighbour reported her dogs were creating a ruckus in late January and went to see what they were barking about when she discovered another neighbour’s dog attacking Conner in the street in front of her home.

Conner had only just climbed off his school bus and was walking home in the 1400-Block of Lynock Lane, near the city of Reno, which is located in the western US state of Nevada, at the time of the attack.

The dog, described as a brown and black brindle boxer/bullmastiff mixed-breed, was said to have escaped his fenced yard and attacked Conner for unknown reasons.

When the neighbour attempted to stop the attack, the dog went toward her, forcing her back to her yard.

The dog then dragged Conner down the street and the witness ran to free him by hitting the dog with a large stick.

Emergency personnel transported Conner to a hospital in Fort Worth where he was treated for his injuries.

Cassandra Ware, Conner’s mother, said he spent several days in the hospital after he suffered numerous lacerations to his face and arms, with puncture wounds to his scalp and neck from being bitten. She described the attack as a “mauling.” Cassandra also reported Conner suffers from multiple bruises on his chest and legs.

She said the hospital staff credited neighbour Lorena Parker with saving Conner’s life. She said that the animal had been shaking the child like a “chew toy” when she found them.

Mum Cassandra Ware added: “He underwent more than three hours of surgery to repair nerve damage to his face and to close more than two dozen lacerations on his face, head and body.

The doctors anticipate he will need several more surgeries to repair additional nerve damage to his face and to repair his tear duct.”

Cassandra also stated Conner will require physical therapy to regain the use of his arm and learn to write again.

Kessler set up an account for Conner at Plains Capital Bank 1001 Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford, to aid in the accumulating medical bills and continued treatment. Anyone wishing to contribute, can contact Plain Capital at (817) 598-5400, and donate to the Conner Lander’s Benefit Account.

Conner’s neighbour was awarded USD 500 (GBP 370) from fundraising efforts by Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers.

Kessler said: “We just wanted to do something to help Conner on his long road to recovery.” She added that the fundraising efforts were initiated to help ease the burden of Conner’s medical bills and to thank the neighbour for saving his life.

Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier said the case is currently under active investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The dog which attacked Conner was routinely quarantined and was humanely euthanized last week due to the severity of the attack.

“We commend Conner’s neighbour for her bravery and quick actions in saving him,” said Sheriff Authier. “We are praying for Conner to make a full recovery.”

Testing was performed on the dog by the Department of Health, and it was not found to have rabies.

The dog owner, identified as Patti Jean Bell-Neveling, 49, was arrested Monday on a third-degree felony charge of attack by dog resulting in a serious bodily injury warrant. Her bond has not been set.