JACKSON, Miss. - A 5-year-old child is in a Mississippi hospital after the boy was attacked by a police K-9 Sunday morning.

The German Shepherd’s handler, Chris Picou, said K-9 Splinter was at his home when he escaped by digging under the backyard fence.

Officer Picou went looking for the dog, found it and discovered that Splinter had bitten a 5-year-old child who was riding his bike. Police advised the boy’s parents to take him to a hospital.

“There were bite marks on both legs. One (was) more superficial, and I say that humbly, it was more a nudge, not a true bite. Whereas the other was indeed a bite mark on there,” Officer Brian McGairty said.

An attorney representing the boy’s family said the child’s injuries are not minor.

"The family is concerned (that) the Pearl Police Department is minimizing this," Drew Martin, an attorney representing the boy's family, said. "Not only is the child still in the hospital, but he hasn't walked since he got to the hospital.”

The dog will remain in quarantine for 10 days, according to authorities. When Splinter is released, he’ll be returned to a handler in Louisiana where the K-9 will receive more training, according to authorities. When training is completed, Splinter will return to his post in Mississippi.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.