Pittsburgh, PA -- A Troy Hill man said he was filled with remorse yesterday after his pet pit bull jumped the chain-link fence surrounding his backyard and attacked a girl riding her bicycle in the Voegtly Evangelical Church Cemetery.

"I feel real bad. I never raised the dog to be aggressive," said Paul Harris, 30, of Eggers Street. "I normally keep him chained in the backyard but let him run loose today to run around the yard. I wish I had kept the dog chained.

"I'm distraught. I feel sorry for the girl. I hope she recovers. I took every precaution I could. I'm in disbelief."

The 11-year-old girl, whose name was not released, was taken to Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville with serious injuries to her face, hands and arms, police said.

Aliyah Dixon, 10, said the girl went over to the fence to pet another dog when the attack occurred about 5:20 p.m. in the cemetery located off Lowrie Street.

"I saw the dog jump over the fence and attack her," said Dixon, who was riding her bicycle with the injured girl. "I saw the dog on top of her and I ran."

Other children said they heard the girl screaming and being spun around by the pit bull before several neighbors and passers-by -- including an off-duty Reserve Township policeman -- broke up the attack. City police say the dog dragged the girl about 50 feet before being stopped.

Dixon's father, James Dixon, 29, was among those who came running to try to help the 11-year-old.

"She had a gash around the right corner of her eye and teeth marks on her forehead, hands and arm," he said. "It was scary."

Pittsburgh police Cmdr. Catherine McNeilly said Harris was cooperating with city officers and animal control personnel who took the pit bull.

"I have the dog for protection," said Harris, who was shot in the abdomen in what he believes was a robbery attempt in front of his home earlier this month.

Harris is taking no chances that the dog, named Pain, will hurt anyone again, saying: "I had the dog put down (by animal control officers)."