Police: Man unleashed pit bull on kids

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- A 24-year-old New York man purposefully unleashed his pit bull dog in a room where five children were sleeping, police said.

Police said while intoxicated and angry with his wife, Frantz Cesar allegedly threw the dog into the children's room where the animal mauled a 3-year-old boy, the New York Post said Thursday.

The wife's sister, Cassina Smith, said her young nephew suffered significant injuries during Wednesday's animal attack.

"His ear was torn off. He couldn't talk. His jaw was (ripped) open," Smith said of her nephew, Kamar Reynolds.

Smith said Cesar eventually separated the dog from Reynolds, but allegedly was laughing while rescuing the seriously injured child.

The boy was in serious condition following surgery, the Post reported.

Authorities said the pit bull would likely be euthanized and Cesar faces assault charges.

The incident followed a similar pit bull mauling in New York Tuesday in which a 90-year-old man suffered extensive injuries when he was attacked by his neighbor's pit bulls.