Black Creek, N.C. — A German shepherd roaming a neighborhood attacked and mauled two boys near the Black Creek community in late January, Wilson County Animal Control officers said Friday.

Cody Galloway, 9, and Anderson Hooks, 10, were playing near woods behind a neighbor's house in the 6400 block of Litchfield Road around 5 p.m. Jan. 22, said Maj. Mickey Wilson, of Wilson Animal County Control.

They noticed a German shepherd and a brownish-gold, mixed-breed dog following them. The German shepherd growled at Anderson, who tried to back away, then jumped on him and started biting his face and head.

Cody tried to pull the German shepherd off his friend, and it attacked him, Wilson said.

The homeowner, Tammy Goff, called authorities, and Dale Goff detained the German shepherd. Wilson said the dog kept acting aggressively, forcing him to put it down at the scene.

Both boys were taken to Wilson Medical Center, then transferred to Pitt Memorial Hospital. They have been released from the hospital.

Cody suffered a deep laceration on his throat and three bites on his face, Wilson said. Anderson suffered two severe lacerations on his face and numerous bites to his face, and his ears were partially torn off.

Rabies tests performed on the dog's remains came back negative.

The other dog showed no aggressive behavior and stood over the injured boys, protecting them, Wilson said. It has not been found.

Animal Control was investigating to find out if the dogs have an owner, Wilson said.