A child was bitten in the face by a dog in Fairfield, officials say, and now his father and Animal Control officers are asking for the public's help identifying the owners.

The incident happened Sunday outside the family’s home on Warsaw Street near Fairfield Warde High School around 9:30 a.m.

Ryan Bartlett says he was outside playing with his 5-year-old and 3-year-old sons when a couple walked by with their two dogs.

After the 5-year-old asked the couple permission to pet their dogs, Bartlett says one of the dog's bit his son in the face.

Bartlett says his son needed 11 stitches. He says he was rushing to help his son who was bleeding and that the couple offered to help, but he declined assistance. He says during the hectic situation, he and the owners of the dog failed to exchange information. 

The two dogs are described as a black and brown-colored large herding dog and a tan-colored small terrier.

Officials say the boy was bitten by the larger dog.

Animal Control officers wrote in a Facebook post that they are now looking for the vaccination status of the biting dog.

If the owners fail to come forward, the father says his son must undergo rounds of rabies shots, which could be painful for the young boy.  

Human rabies cases are almost always fatal if left untreated, according to doctors.  

Anyone with information about the dogs or their owners is asked to call Fairfield Animal Control at (203) 254-4857.