BUSH, Ill. -  Hurst Police Chief Ron Harvel recalls the day two weeks ago that nearly killed 5-year-old Winston Bankston.

"This has been on my mind since this happened," he said. "I have children.  I'm a father. I love my kids dearly and I care about the kids in this community."

Chief Harvel responded to the call at Bush Park. When he got there, he saw something he said he's never seen in his 20-year career.

"Just a horrific scene upon visiting the doorway of Village Hall," Harvel said. "What I saw was a mother, cradling her child, holding her child in her arms, sitting on the floor, blood everywhere."

Bankston's injuries, severe cuts and bruises, were the result of a dog attack.  Two pitbulls owned by Tanya Holland, who was later arrested, held a tight grip on Bankston until he broke free.

"I made the decision at that time to neutralize the situation and prevent the dogs from attacking anyone else."

Chief Harvel said the decision to kill the dogs was an easy one considering they almost killed the boy.  He told Local 6 memories of that morning have taken an emotional toll on him but he's willing to make whatever changes necessary to ensure no one else falls prey to man's best friend.

"We need to step forward, put weight on my shoulders and take this fight up," he said.  "I'm willing to do that."

Illinois is one of 11 states which prohibit towns from making restrictions against allowing specific breeds in neighborhoods.  His focus now is on changing that law using this case as an example.

"We tend to sit back and idly discuss or to contemplate taking action until it hits close enough to home."

Tanya Holland turned herself into police after the attack. She has since bonded out of jail.