Denver ? A 10-year-old boy who was attacked by three pit bulls in his backyard last week has lost his arm as a result of the mauling.

Doctors at Children’s Hospital amputated Gregg Jones’ arm on Monday because it was so badly injured in the attack, his aunt Joanna Jones told The Denver Post. She said he would also have to undergo other procedures, including facial reconstruction, prompting her to set up a fund to help cover his medical bills.

Jones said her nephew has been moving his mouth, trying to talk with his family.

“He knows who we are,” Jones said. “He is able to move his legs and arms. He’s doing a lot better than we thought he was going to. We want to tell everyone thank you for their prayers.”

The boy was attacked Nov. 2 when he returned home from school in Aurora and went into the backyard after finding the front door was locked. Neighbors drove the dogs off with baseball bats after hearing his screams.

The attack came two days after the Aurora City Council banned new pit bulls and other “fighting dogs.” It also requires the owners of such dogs already living in the city to pay a $200 annual license fee, provide proof the dogs are spayed or neutered, post warning signs on their front doors and keep the dogs muzzled in public.

The city received a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the ban.

Tina Villani, of Brighton, who also owns property in Aurora, alleges the law seizes property without due process and labels each pit bull as dangerous without any evidence that they have been aggressive.