A 10-year-old boy was in critical condition Sunday after three pit bulls escaped from a home and went on a rampage, attacking six people before police shot and killed the dogs, according to authorities.

Neighbors said the attacks started late Saturday afternoon when children going door-to-door for a fund-raiser arrived at the home of the man who owned the dogs. The pit bulls attacked the two children, and when the dogs' owner tried to stop them, the dogs turned on him and bit off his thumb, authorities said.

The boy's father also tried to protect his son and was attacked. Residents threw rocks at the dogs and honked car horns to try to distract them before police arrived and shot the animals.

No charges had been filed Sunday, but investigators said the area is being treated as a crime scene.

The boy who was attacked, Nick Foley, was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday. His friend Jordan Lamarre, also 10, was in serious condition. Nick's father was listed in good condition. The dogs' owner Scott Sword and two others were treated for injuries and released.