A Vicksburg toddler was taken to the hospital after being mauled by a family dog while playing in the yard.

The 20-month-old boy, Jack Gaines, was in good condition this morning at University Medical Center, hospital spokesman Peggy Wagner said.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said the boy was attacked by the family’s 5-year-old, 70-pound cur dog while playing in the backyard with other family members Wednesday night. Pace said the “dog just bolted across the yard and grabbed the boy by his face,” and the boy’s grandfather, Ira Erwin, was able to beat the dog off his grandson and rescue him at the family home at 733 Stenson Road. Jack, the son of Robin Causey and Brad Gaines, initially was taken to River Region Medical Center and then transferred to UMC.

The dog has been detained at the Vicksburg Humane Society.

Two city teens held

for theft of auto

Two Vicksburg teens were in the Warren County Jail this morning on an auto theft charge.

DeMichael Janard Jones, 17, 303 Hillside Drive, was arrested at 10:36 a.m. Wednesday at his home and charged with auto theft, Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said. He said Marvel Hunter, 18, 1840 Martin Luther King Drive, who was arrested and had been held without bond since March 24 on a separate burglary charge in the city, was also charged in the theft. Hunter was accused of a residential burglary on Martin Luther King Drive reported March 19.

Pace said the teens are accused of stealing a 2009 Honda Accord which was reported missing March 11 from the 13000 block of U.S. 61 South. The car had been found abandoned on Alpine Street on March 19. Both were each held on a $5,000 bond for the theft.

Oven, clock, phone

among missing items

A business burglary and a residential burglary were reported in the city Wednesday.

A GE microwave oven valued at $100, a Rosewood antique clock valued at $285, an antique pear clock valued at $500 and a small sculpture valued at $100 were reported missing at 1:02 p.m. from Belle of the Bends Bed & Breakfast, 508 Klein St.

A Motorola cell phone valued at $250, a gold watch valued at $50, an electric iron valued at $25 and a pair of Nike sneakers valued at $65 were reported missing at 4:58 p.m. from a home in the 2500 block of Oak Street.