The owner of a pit bull that attacked a 7-year-old Fort Lupton boy earlier this month will have to pay for the boy's medical costs.

David Vasquez, 23, appeared in court Monday morning after having pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of owning a dangerous dog that causes a serious injury.

In addition to medical costs, Vasquez has two years of probation and will have to pay for the costs of impounding and euthanizing his dog, Chiquita.

Chiquita attacked Alex Ward earlier this month, partially tearing off the boy's ear and severely scarring his head and body. It took 250 stitches to reattach his ear, doctors said. Ward was hospitalized for five days and had several follow-up doctor exams. Medical bills are expected to total several thousand dollars, according to the deputy district attorney.

On Monday, Vasquez apologized for his dog's actions.

"I'm sorry for everything that's happened. It's not intentional. I'm sorry for everything that's happened to Alex and what's going to happen to my dog. She was my little girl," he said.

Vasquez took Chiquita to the Wards' home to visit while he checked on some animals he was keeping at the property.

The boy approached the pit bull to play but the dog knocked the boy over and, unprovoked, attacked his head, authorities said. The boy's mother had told Vasquez to keep his dog away from the property.

Chiquita has been in quarantine at the Weld County Humane Society since the attack. Chiquita will be killed by lethal injection Tuesday.