SILVERDALE — A 5-year-old boy is in serious condition at a Seattle hospital after he was attacked by two dogs, according to The Associated Press.

According to Deputy Scott Wilson, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, the boy was playing outside his home Jan. 13 when he was attacked. The youngster suffered bites to the head, face and neck.

AP reported the boy is in a intensive care unit following surgery the day after the attack, according to a nursing supervisor at Harborview Medical Center

Wilson reported the boy’s mother shielded the child with her body until a relative could rescue the boy. The mother was taking care of the dogs as a favor to an ex-boyfriend.

The animals were turned over to Kitsap Animal Rescue, a division of Kitsap Humane Society.