LEWISTON — A city man was charged with keeping dangerous dogs after his pit bulls attacked and mauled a potbellied pig next door.

The pig, owned by Kim and Jason Nadeau of 103 Acadia St., was critically injured and had to be euthanized, said Wendell Strout, animal control officer for the city. The couple had a second pet pig, but gave it away since the attack, fearing it might meet the same fate, Strout said.

Chris Hanson, 42, of 89 Acadia St. owns the two dogs, who are 7 and 13 years old.

Hanson told Strout someone other than he must have let the dogs out of his home at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 13.

Strout said he issued a temporary order that requires the dogs to wear muzzles whenever they are in public. He issued a summons to Hanson on Tuesday afternoon, he said.

Strout said he had spoken with Hanson before the attack about keeping his dogs from running loose.

Hanson is expected to be fined between $250 and $1,000 for the civil violation, plus damages, according to state law. A judge can also issue a permanent muzzle order, can order that the dogs be euthanized and can order restitution to be paid to the owners of the pig.

If Hanson should violate the judge’s order, he could be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail.