Neighbors in one northeast El Paso neighborhood are worried for their safety after a family's dog was attacked.

Rebecca and Raymond Harris were visiting family in Oklahoma when they found out their 4-year-old cocker spaniel, Copper, had a massive open wound to its side.

"He's a very lovely dog. I haven't seen him harm anyone or anything," said neighbor Elena Morafetis.

The wound is about 12 inches long and has since been stitched up.

According to the Harrises, the attack happened on Aug. 9, but they didn't find out until Aug. 14 while the family was on vacation in Oklahoma when animal control called them to tell them their dog had escaped and was severely injured.

"You could see his intestines," said Copper's owner Rebecca Harris, "My kids cried when they saw their dog."

The Harrises had to take the dog to a vet, where Copper received care for the open wound.

The family is left with an increasing vet bill over $1,500.

Neighbors want police to do something before a person gets hurt.

The Harrises plan to work with animal control to hopefully find the person who hurt their dog.