Tom Henson says his dog’s leash hasn't moved since Animal Control took away his 18 month old named Roman last week.

The beauceron bit his neighbor Marissa Gordinier, but Henson says his dog only reacted when she approached.

He says,” [My dog] was only put in a situation he did not want to be in, and he reacted anyway an animal does."

Gordinier has a scar on her hip from being bit Roman, but she's not blaming the dog. She says, “I put my hand out and I probably shouldn't have done that because he was barking and everything, and so I think he just got kind of scared maybe and jumped.”

Gordinier didn't want to report the bite, but their landlord did, as required by policy. The dog is being held at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. His fate will be decided at a public hearing next week.

The city has to prove that Roman is vicious, his owners failed to restrained him, and that it's in the public's interest to put him down.

This is the dog's second strike. He bit a taxi driver four months ago. Coralville City Attorney Kevin Olson says, "The dog obviously doesn't like strangers at all, so I think that in my mind I'm not willing to take the risk that the dog isn't going to bit a third time, or do something worse."

Ultimately, it will be up to city administrator Kelly Hayworth to decide whether Roman lives or dies.

Henson explains, "I'm willing to take any steps necessary to move out from the city. I've already contacted a trainer for a separate evaluation."

Moving may not be an option, so Henson will need to persuade the city that Roman is not a threat.

The public hearing will be Aug. 26 at Coralville city hall at 10:30 a.m.