NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- A boy was bitten in the face and required several stitches in what the Hamilton County Humane Society called one of the worse animal attacks they have ever seen.

The attack on Dillon Absher, 7, happened on the same day his family brought the dog, a chow-retriever mix, home from the Fulton County shelter in northern Indiana, 6News’ Renee Jameson reported.

Dillon’s mother, Kathy Absher, was just a few feet away when the attack happened on the floor of a bedroom on April 3 after the dog licked her son in the face.

Absher said her son tried to return the affection when the dog attacked.

“He leaned down to kiss the dog on the forehead and it obviously startled the dog,” she said. “He just attacked his face and split his mouth open.”

Dillon’s parents rushed him to the hospital. The dog was taken to the Hamilton County Humane Society.

“It’s important for the public to be aware that any dog can bite … given the right circumstances and environment,” said Rebecca Stevens, of the humane society.

Animal experts said families planning to adopt a dog should ask about its temperament and make sure the animal is up-to-date on vaccines and has been spayed or neutered.

“Especially with males, those who are not neutered are almost three times more likely to bite than a male that is neutered,” Stevens said.

Absher said she will make sure the family’s next dog is suited for children and has been given the proper vaccines.

“(I will) definitely go to a shelter that does testing on the dogs to make sure how their temperament would be and take our kids and our other dog with us,” she said.

The dog was placed in quarantine while rabies tests are run. It will likely be euthanized.

Absher said her son will not need to have plastic surgery, but his wounds will take time to heal.