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November 10, 2010-
By KEN BLACK, TIMES-REPUBLICAN

A father whose daughter was attacked by a pit bull mix over the weekend in Marshalltown said he would like to see the dog put down.

Corey Oltrogge, said his 4-year-old daughter was walking down the street when she saw the animal chained up. Already being somewhat familiar with the animal, she approached it and was bitten.

The animal left her with lacerations, especially on her hand.

"I have no negative feelings for or towards the owner, as the dog was not running free; it was chained up in its own yard. My girl should not have approached it," he said.

However, he said the dog has shown its character and is set in its ways.

"This dog already has in its head, 'This is how you deal with small humans. You chew them up,'" he said.

Oltrogge said he would not like to see the owner of the dog punished in any way. However, he did say the should be euthanized so that it does not become a menace to other children.

Capt. Mike Hanken, with the Marshalltown Police Department, said there are a number of things that could happen.

First, the dog could be declared vicious. If this is the animal's first offense, and the injury was not considered serious and did not involve a death, the dog could be required to be microchipped and spayed or neutered, if applicable.

The owner would be required to have a sufficient level of insurance on the dog as well.

A second offense would result in the dog being surrendered to the Marshall County Animal Rescue League and put down.

The dog could also be put down if the injuries were considered to be serious, but that classification is not defined in the city code.

"We leave that up to the doctors and what they say in the medical reports," Hanken said.

Once the police department completes its investigation, the declaration of a vicious dog is made by either the police chief, city administrator or ARL. In this case, the information was turned over to City Administrator Randy Wetmore.

There was no timeline given as to when he may make a decision on the case.

The owner would also have an opportunity to appeal the designation of a vicious dog.