A Niles man who potentially faced three years in prison after a dog mauled his seven-week-old son, has instead been placed on probation for three years.

That was the sentenced Judge Sean O'Brien imposed Wednesday on 26-year-old Dillon E. Gallagher, who pleaded guilty to child endangering on December 11. The judge cited Gallagher's clean criminal record for his decision not to impose a prison sentence.

His wife, Brianna McNeese, also pleaded guilty to child endangering earlier and was sentenced to three years of probation.

The case involved a June 28 incident in the couple's Frederick Street home where police say he and McNeese fell asleep on a couch with their infant.

The couple woke up a few hours later to find the child on the floor with his diaper in shreds and according to the prosecutor.

The baby suffered life-threatening injuries which included bite marks, a lacerated liver and other internal injuries. Niles police found that the child had been mauled by a German Shepherd in the house.

The child spent a long period recovering in the Akron Children’s Hospital.