YOUNGSTOWN — Nicco, the pet dog of a family living on Helena Avenue on the South Side, had a tough week last week after being seriously injured Oct. 27 in an attack, allegedly by children.

Animal Charity of Ohio posted on its website Oct. 28 that the suspects in the case are “minor children” who came into the family’s fenced-in yard. Media reports indicate that a child or children are alleged to have reached through a missing plank in the family’s wooden fence to stab the dog, which was on a leash inside the fence.

Jamie Markovich, the dog’s owner, told a reporter last week she hopes there is justice for the children’s actions but also hopes the children learn that they cannot do something like this again.

In a Facebook post Sunday, she stated that the bills are around $7,800, and Nicco still needs dental surgery. She encouraged people to go to the Animal Charity website to donate.

Jennifer Bonish, head of the Special Victims Unit of the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, said Monday she does not know yet whether charges will be filed against the children involved. The juvenile division of the prosecutor’s office “will be a part of that decision,” she said.

She said she believes the ages of the children are 5, 7 and 12.

A post on the Animal Charity website a week ago said that because Animal Charity is “part of the Special Victims Unit with the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, we are absolutely going to ensure this victim is getting all of the resources and help available.”

The post indicated the dog received medical care throughout last week from a veterinary facility in Girard that also has a facility in Akron. The dog received care from Monday through Friday, according to the posts.

On Wednesday, doctors were “still working to discover the full scope of what he is dealing with,” a post stated. He went home to his family on Friday. Animal Charity asked for the public to help with the dog’s medical costs, which had risen to $7626.53, the post stated.

As of Monday, Animal Charity had raised $5,652 raised through 144 donations, according to the website.

Numerous people posted on the website their frustration with the actions of the children but at least as many focused their frustration on the parents of the children. One post reads: “It’s time to hold these parents responsible for their kid’s actions!!!”

Nicco was released from the medical facility on Friday “and is now continuing his healing at home with his family,” a Friday post containing a photo of Nicco states.