PITTSBURGH -- Steelers linebacker James Harrison's young son was released Wednesday from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh after being attacked and bitten by the father's pit bull last week.

Harrison is missing the Steelers' daily offseason training activities on the South Side to be with 1-year-old James III, who is doing well, agent William Parise told WTAE Channel 4 Action News by phone.

Watch Bob Mayo's Report

The boy was bitten on the leg after his mother, Beth Tibbot, let the dog out of its pen Thursday afternoon at Harrison's Franklin Park home. Also hurt were Tibbot and Harrison's massage therapist, Lisa Ripi, who needed three stitches.
First On 4: Steelers Star Harrison's Dog Attacks Son, Will Be Put Down (From May 22)

Parise told WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo that Harrison is trying to find a place for the dog so it doesn't have to be euthanized.

McKees Rocks-based Triangle Pet Control Services told Channel 4 Action News that the dog is being kept there, because Harrison does not want it back in the house and a dog that attacked a child cannot be adopted.

Initially, Triangle planned to destroy the dog. But Parise said he's calling animal organizations across the country in hopes of finding another solution.

Teammates were thinking about Harrison during the Steelers' practice on Wednesday.

"He was the one who kept us updated and told us (the boy) was going to be released and that he's doing a lot better," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.

"All of our thoughts are certainly with him," punter Daniel Sepulveda said. "You know, that's a tough situation, and you see it from time to time, and it seems like there's not a whole lot you can do to control that."

"I'm just keeping him in my prayers, trying to help him out as much as possible. That's all," linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. "We're just a team. We're a band of brothers. We try to help each other out."

Tifanie Tiberio, of the Animal Recue League of Western Pennsylvania, said a dog's breed can affect people's attitudes even when there's no history of problems.

A pit bull mix named Mac is waiting to have knee surgery that's already paid for, but the procedure can't be performed until Mac gets a new home where he can recuperate, Tiberio said.

"Money has been raised by our volunteers and donors, but no one has adopted him," Tiberio said. "And we wonder if people are hesitant because of his medical condition, or are people hesitant because he's a pit bull mix?"

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