PITTSBURGH -- A Churchill man adopted the dog police said killed an infant last week in McKeesport.

The man, who did not want to be identified, said he and the baby's father made a deal on Tuesday. Howard Nicholson signed the husky over to him and he paid the dog catcher fees and veterinary bills for the dog's broken leg.

"Allegheny County and the dog catcher deemed him safe for release. They weren't putting the dog down, so we said we will relieve you of the financial burden. We want the husky to get proper medical care and a proper home," the man said.

The man told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski that he understand how some may be shocked that he wanted the animal that mauled a 3-day-old child, but he said he believes the dog did it because of the poor circumstances it was under.

"He's a dog. He was adopted two weeks prior and put into a pack with three other dogs. He broke his leg and had a homemade contraption on him. It wasn't set right. He's at the bottom of the food chain and the mother put a baby on the floor in front of him," said the man.