The owner of a pit bull that mangled the arms of a Southeast Portland woman has appealed to get her dog back from Multnomah County Animals Services, which considers the dog a danger to the public.

Smokey, a 2-year-old pit bull, is currently in a security quarantine at the Troutdale shelter. Randall Brown, the shelter's chief field supervisor, said a hearing should take place early next month to decide the dog's fate.

The county will argue that Smokey poses a threat.

"It's a dangerous dog," Brown said. "If you were to see the pictures of the attack. They're very gruesome. They're some of the worst dog-attack pictures I've ever seen. In my opinion, the woman is lucky to be alive."

That woman is 53-year-old Kim Shay, who rents out an apartment in her basement. Smokey was staying with her renter, a friend of the dog's owner, after the dog bit someone else.

Earlier this month, Shay opened the door of the basement apartment with a friend to discuss remodeling. Shay said Smokey went for her friend and then, after Shay bit the dog to try to stop the attack, Smokey jumped on her and didn't let up.

The two wrestled, sliding in her blood as she struggled to get away. She managed to crawl up the stairs and escape, with the skin on her arm shredded and gaping holes in her flesh.

Shay spent a week at OHSU Hospital. Still unable to use her arms, she's recovering at a nursing home.

Shay will be called to the hearing along with the owner, Reanna Erickson of Southeast Portland, and animal services staff. A hearings officer will decide the case. Erickson has not returned calls seeking comment.

Brown said the county would like Smokey to be officially classified as a dangerous dog, a designation that would probably mean he would be euthanized. If the dog is allowed to return to Erickson, the hearings officer could place restrictions on her to prevent any more attacks.

-- Lynne Terry