The fate of a dog accused of biting a child's ear while at a vet clinic in Bradenton will be decided later than expected.

On Thursday, a hearing officer said he will not make a decision regarding Padi until next week, sometime between August 3 and 5. He previously had stated he would have a decision by the end of July.

Padi is a rescue dog that belongs to Dr. Paul Gartenberg, a veterinarian in East Bradenton. Up until recently, he took the dog to work with him daily at his office, the Pet Clinic. He’s now at Animal Services in Palmetto and not allowed to be released.

Last month, Padi bit a 4-year-old boy who was with his babysitter at the clinic and looking at kittens.

According to a report from Manatee County Animal Services, the babysitter told investigators the boy was playing with Padi and throwing toys for him to fetch.

At some point, the boy went into Dr. Gartenberg’s office and went under his desk. The babysitter told investigators the boy lunged at the dog and as a result, the dog bit him, nearly biting his ear off.

The boy had to be taken to the hospital and received several stitches in his ear.

Dr. Gartenberg said he feels terrible about what happened to the child but thinks the boy was provoking the dog and the dog was acting in defense.

The family's attorney disputes this, saying that the child’s babysitter told investigators that the dog lunged at the child.

Padi was taken to animal services and placed under quarantine under the state’s dangerous dog law.

An investigation is now underway to determine if the dog should be euthanized.

The boy’s family has hired an attorney, Dan Dannheisser. They told investigators the boy will need several reconstructive surgeries.

As for the dog, Dannheisser said the family does not have a position on whether Padi gets to go home or is euthanized.