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2 Bigger Dogs Maul Family's Pet At Naperville Park

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- A Naperville woman says her small dog is recovering from serious injuries after a vicious attack by two bigger dogs.

As WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, this past Friday, Karine Malec said she and her 6-year-old son took their 2 1/2-year-old Maltese-Yorkie mix Jasper to the Springbrook Prairie Dog Park in Naperville, the Daily Herald reported.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports

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They had hoped to enjoy the air and sunshine.

But suddenly, while at the off-leash dog park, two bigger dogs circled and attacked Jasper. Malec told the Daily Herald the big dogs "chewed on (Jasper) like a toy."

As Malec screamed, she says the owner of one of the dogs grabbed Jasper and rescued him, but by then, the smaller dog had suffered broken ribs and torn muscles, and was bleeding, the Daily Herald reported.

Jasper had to undergo surgery and stay overnight in an animal hospital.

Malec's young son also witnessed the attack and was crying as the dog was mauled, Malec told the newspaper.

Malec said she filed a police report with the DuPage County Forest Preserve and posted signs warning other pet owners and parents to be careful at off-leash parks.

Guidelines on the forest preserve Web site say owners must keep dogs in off-leash areas in view and under control at all times.

Dogs are permitted off-leash at the fenced-in park near 83rd Street and Book Road, but owners must and remove their dogs from the park at the first sign of aggression, the Web site said.

Jasper will recover his injuries, Malec said in an e-mail to the Chicago Sun-Times. She went on to say she is looking for witnesses to the attack.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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