A Phoenix judge ruled that the pit bull who attacked a child will not be put down, but it will not be returned to the owner, either.
Judge Deborah A. Griffith also ruled that based on testimony the dog, named Mickey, should be defanged and neutered, reports The Arizona Republic. The dog will also have a microchip be implanted and spend the rest of its life at a rehabilitation center.
Mickey's lawyers have 30 days to find a suitable center for the dog to remain. Griffith found the two suggested places to be unfitting.
The pit bull attacked 4-year-old Kevin Vicente and left him with a broken jaw and eye socket, according to The Associated Press. The child will require a lot of reconstructive surgery.
Following the attack, the story went viral and people took to social media to find a way to keep the dog from getting euthanized. Many said blame should be placed on Mickey's owner and the baby sitter.
Attorney John Schill is working pro bono on the case on behalf of the nonprofit Lexus Project. He argued, "This is not Kevin versus Mickey." Schill added, "having Mickey killed is not going to take away Kevin's pain or injuries. The only thing this is going to do is kill a poor, innocent dog."