Two pit bulls who inflicted severe bites on a man walking by a house on Dodds Avenue will be euthanized, McKamey Animal Center Executive Director Karen Walsh said.

City Judge Sherry Paty on Thursday morning was shown numerous photos of injuries inflicted to Ronald Harris on his arms, hands and legs.

The owner of the dogs, Harold Jackson Jr., did not show up for the hearing.

Judge Paty ordered him to pay the McKamey Center $240 in boarding fees for the dogs. He also must pay fines and court costs.

Judge Paty directed that the dogs not be returned to the owner.

She said, "This was a very serious attack. I can see that from viewing the photographs."

Mr. Harris said he had left his girlfriend's house when the male and female dogs charged him. He said they both began biting him and one had a grip on one arm with its jaws locked.

He said if he had not been wearing a jacket his wounds would have been much worse.

He told the judge that the dogs nearly tore off the pants he was wearing.

Mr. Harris said during the attack that a woman came up and began screaming. He said he told her to get back and to call 911. He said, "If those dogs had gotten ahold of that woman, they would have torn her apart."

Mr. Harris said it appeared to him that "these dogs had been trained as attack dogs."

A McKamey officer said the owner advised that a child had let the dogs out. He said the owner at the scene "was very apologetic."

The officer said it has been difficult dealing with the dogs at the animal center. He said, "Every time we pass by, they hit the cage."

Judge Paty advised the bite victim to retain an attorney and take civil action against the dog owner.

In a second case, Judge Paty declined to take action against the owner of dogs previously declared to be potentially dangerous, though neighbors said the dogs still are aggressive across the fence from their children.

She said owner Richard Wald of Lookout Valley had taken the dogs through the required obedience class and good citizenship class. She said there had not been a new instance of the dogs getting out.

Mr. Wald said the dogs were agitated in the past by a nearby resident who allegedly revved up his vehicle next to the fence and spun dirt across the fence with the vehicle's rear tires. He said golf balls and bottles had been thrown at the dogs.

In a third case, a dog was found by the freeway on a heavy chain that had become wrapped around a sign pole.

A McKamey officer said the chain and padlock weighed 16.5 pounds. He said the dog weighs about 50 pounds.

Randy Brady said he had allowed someone to walk the dog and it had gotten away.

He said the dog is extremely strong and was able to get around despite the heavy chain.

Mr. Brady said he is building a fence for the dog and will use a lease instead of a heavy chain.