A Lawrence city prosecutor said Monday he would decide in a few days whether to file charges in connection with the death of Lancelot, a 12-year-old dog that was mauled by two pit bulls Nov. 11 in East Lawrence.

âÂÂWe got the reports in late this morning,â Jerry Little, chief city prosecutor, said Monday afternoon.

Little said he would need to review the information before deciding whether to file charges against the owner or ask the municipal court to declare the dogs dangerous under LawrenceâÂÂs dangerous dog ordinance.

The dogs, Attila and Lucius, were still being housed at the Lawrence Humane SocietyâÂÂs Ise Memorial Shelter, said Midge Grinstead, the executive director.

âÂÂTheyâÂÂre acting really good toward people. One is a little nervous,â Grinstead said. âÂÂBut theyâÂÂre letting us get in their kennel with them and touch them.âÂÂ

She said Lucius and Attila began barking when another dog was brought into the same area.

âÂÂItâÂÂs obvious that they donâÂÂt like other animals,â Grinstead said.

The two pit bulls were picked up by Lawrence Police animal control officers after they mauled Lancelot, the longtime pet of Rebecca Goodin and her four children.

The dogs got loose from their ownerâÂÂs home on Cadet Avenue, ran east across Memorial Park Cemetery and jumped over the fence into the Goodinsâ back yard at 1615 Harper St.

Police have not released the name of the owner while charges are pending.

Grinstead predicted she would have to provide care for the two animals for a long while as the case goes through municipal court.

âÂÂThe normal time for us to hold a dangerous, vicious dog is four to six months. Some have been longer. WeâÂÂve actually held some a year,â she said.