DUVALL, Wash. --The haunting images still bring tears to the eyes of 9-year-old Lea Galusha.

She was playing outside her home with her best friend and pet on Saturday when a pit bull sprinted in from the neighbor's yard. She then watched in horror as the dog latched on to her beloved calf's neck.

"I was upset and I was just crying and screaming," said Lea.

When her grandpa heard the screams, he rushed to her aid.

"I saw that dog just grabbed that calf," said Rus Galusha. "He had the calf and lost his grip and he went right back for another one."

Grandpa Rus said it took several agonizing attempts to unclench the dog's jaw.

Officials warned the pit bull owner to remove the animal from the property by the end of the week. If he fails to do so, animal control officers will intervene.

But the owner said she plans to get rid of the dog.

"I can't have her here, not a mean dog," said Mamie Boyle.

The news came as a huge relief to Rus.

"To me, it's very disgusting for somebody like that to have a dog like that in the neighborhood," he said.

But the damage may have been already done as far as Leah is concerned. She's been working with her 4-H club for weeks to get her calf ready for two upcoming fairs, and hopes the wounds heal in time.

Rus is stuck with the vet bill, but he said he knows things could have been much worse.