Alex was euthanized after attacking its new owner's 16-year-old daughter. (credit: http://nycdogs.urgentpodr.org)

STONY BROOK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Long Island teenager was attacked by a pit bull that her family decided to save from “death row.”

Stephen Neira found the 42-pound dog, named Alex, through the group All Breed Rescue, WCBS 880’s Sophia Hall reported. The dog was scheduled to be put down in 22 minutes when his family decided to foster him, Newsday reported.

About two minutes after bringing the pit bull to his Patchogue home on Sunday, the dog attacked Neira’s 16-year-old daughter, Briana.

“My wife was trying to stick her arm in the dog’s mouth the whole time this was happening, she was absolutely terrified, she wanted to get the dog off of my daughter and let her take the bite,” Neira said. “It was crazy.”