A 5-year-old Effingham County boy remains in the pediatric intensive care unit at Memorial Health University Medical Center after being attacked Tuesday by a neighbor’s dog.

“He is improving and expected to survive, but he has a very long road to recovery,” said Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Detective David Ehsanipoor.

Wesley Frye suffered “severe injuries” to his face and legs in the attack and was airlifted to Memorial, Ehsanipoor said.

According to the ECSO, the boy was playing with other children inside the neighbor’s house on Hampton Court when he was mauled by the neighbor’s the pit bull terrier. Ehsanipoor had no indication what prompted the dog to attack.

One adult was inside the home and was able to get the dog off the boy, take the dog outside and call the sheriff’s office, he said.

The dog’s owner, Larry Long, has cooperated fully with investigators, Ehsanipoor said. No criminal charges will be filed against Long, but he was issued a citation for not having the dog’s rabies vaccination up to date.

“There are no signs of negligence or ill intent,” Ehsanipoor said.

The dog remains under a 10-day quarantine in the Effingham County Animal Control Center. After that time, a determination will be made on what to do with the animal.

“The Frye family wants to thank the public for their outpour of support and concern. They ask that everyone keeps Wesley in their prayers,” Ehsanipoor said.