MEXICO – A 3-year-old boy was being treated Wednesday night after he was mauled by a pet dog at his Back Kingdom Road home.

Police said Jim Cole, the boy’s father, called them at about 5:30 p.m. to report he had shot the pit bull mix after it attacked the toddler. The dog was killed.

Early reports were that the boy was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where he was being treated hours after the attack. Police could not confirm that, however, and the boy’s condition was unknown.

It was believed the boy was bitten in the face.

Police notified the town animal control officer to investigate the matter and to determine whether the pit bull was up to date on its shots. The attack occurred at Cole’s home at 316 Back Kingdom Road.

It was unknown what prompted the dog to attack.

“It’s usually a pretty calm dog,” said Mexico police Officer Mike Richards, who knows the Cole family and is familiar with the pit bull.

Richards did not know the name of the boy or where he was being treated. Jim Cole could not be reached late Wednesday night.