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A 13-year-old boy was airlifted to a hospital after his relatives’ dog viciously attacked him in the family’s Lake Los Angeles backyard, a sheriff’s lieutenant said Wednesday.

Los Angeles County firefighters were called to the home near 166th Street East and Coolwater Avenue about 3:30 p.m., according to a Fire Department dispatcher.

The young victim was in the backyard of his aunt’s and uncle’s home playing with the dog when the animal turned “vicious,” Lt. Joseph Fender of the sheriff’s Lancaster Station said.

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The dog attacked the boy, bit his arm and took a chunk out of the limb, Fender said. The boy’s uncle and cousin were in the backyard with him when the attack occurred.

The boy was airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, according to the lieutenant, who did know the boy’s condition.

The dog was taken into custody at the owner’s request, Fender said.

The sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau tweeted a photo of the boy being airlifted, saying a “pit bull attack” had occurred.

Fender did not describe the type of dog involved.

KTLA’s Nidia Becerra contributed to this article.