A pit bull accused of fatally mauling a small terrier in Redondo Beach on Aug. 11 has been released to the dog’s owner, who faces possible criminal charges.

“A criminal complaint was forwarded to city prosecutors for having a dog not licensed in Redondo Beach and for having a loose dog not restrained by a leash,” said Sgt. Jeff Mendence.

Prosecutor Joy Abaquin said on Monday the city attorney’s office had not reviewed the case yet to determine whether criminal charges would in fact be filed.

The dog was released to its owner, Timothy Banas, last week, authorities said. Banas could not be reached for comment.

According to a police report, the pit bull escaped through a window of the home where Banas was staying with the dog near North Juanita Avenue and Agate Street where the attack occurred.

Debbie Bina, who witnessed the attack, said it sounded horrible. Days after the incident, Bina said she couldn’t get the sounds of the screeching dog out of her head.

“Nobody could figure out how to get the dog out of the pit bull’s mouth,” Bina said.

When Bina arrived on the scene about 11:30 p.m. responding to cries for help from the terrier’s owner, she said the pit bull had the small dog in its mouth. Neighbors arrived and tried to get the pit to release the terrier, but to no avail. It wasn’t until Bina’s husband struck the dog with a golf club that it finally let go, she said.

For nearly a month, the dog remained at the Carson Animal Shelter as the owner did not come forward. Banas identified himself to police on Sept. 2 when the dog was released, according to Mendence.

Because there were no other documented attacks by the pit bull, police were unable to invoke a provision in the state’s agricultural code that would allow for action against a dog deemed vicious or potentially dangerous.

In terms of the possible criminal charges, the owner of the dog faces either an infraction or misdemeanor.

“If the person is convicted or takes a plea agreement and receives some sort of probation there could be certain provisions imposed by the court to either keep the dog muzzled or not be allowed in certain areas,” Mendence said. “It’s really up to the judge.”