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Pit Bull To Be Euthanized After Attack On Vallejo Boy

VALLEJO (BCN) - A pit bull that apparently attacked a 10-year-old boy in Vallejo on Monday afternoon will likely be euthanized, authorities said Wednessday.

The attack was reported around 4 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of Calaveras Street, police said.

The boy told officials with the Humane Society of the North Bay that he was crossing the street when the dog either broke its leash or escaped the grasp of its owner, and came and bit him on the right arm, said David Sidie, the humane society's director of animal services.

The dog is described as a red-nosed male pit bull that is about 3 to 4 years old, Sidie said.

The boy is expected to survive but has to undergo further treatment both for his wound and to ensure that he does not get infected with rabies since the dog was not current with its vaccinations, Sidie said.

Animal control officers initially could not locate the dog and its owner, who allegedly lived in the 600 block of Springs Road, but eventually found them both Wednesday after receiving a tip that they were in the 200 block of Curry Avenue, Sidie said.

The dog was taken into the custody of the humane society and will likely be euthanized, according to Sidie.

The owner has the option of requesting her dog back, and if she does so, an administrative hearing will be held to determine if the animal is dangerous, Sidie said.

"It sounds like...the owner will go ahead and let it be euthanized," he said.

Sidie said the dog's license was not active, among other infractions.

The Police Department would not get involved in the case unless there was proof of specific intent to use a dog as a weapon.

"There have been some statements that the dog was used as a weapon," Sidie said, but added, "We haven't collected all the statements."

Sidie said animal control would submit the case to police in the near future.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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