SAN MARCOS —— A pit bull dog bit a 2-year-old girl on the head and "shook her like a rag doll" Thursday night in San Marcos, sending her to the hospital, authorities said.

The tot, Gracie Miecznikowski, was recovering and in good condition Friday afternoon at Children's Hospital in San Diego, a nursing supervisor said.

By then, a San Diego County animal control official said, the 13-year-old red pit bull known as Big Mac had been put to death at the request of its owner.

"My understanding is that the dog owner was just as shook up as the parents," said John Carlson, regional director for San Diego County Animal Services. "We asked the victim's parents if they wanted to press charges. They have no desire to do that at this time."

Animal control authorities can file charges within the one-year period if parents Tony and Brandi Miecznikowski don't, Carlson said.

"But based on what I know right now, I doubt that there will be charges," he added. "It just seems to be a real tragic accident."

The owner, James DeJulio, recently moved to this area, and there is no local history of bites by Big Mac, Carlson said. DeJulio couldn't be reached for comment.

Authorities said Gracie was with her family when they returned a car for sale that they had test driven. They dropped the car off at DeJulio's Cassou Road home, officials said.

"The little girl walked out to the backyard where the dog was," Carlson said. "Her family started walking out, too. As they were by the doorway they heard the dog growl. They saw the dog grab the girl by the head and start shaking her like a rag doll."

The dog's owner grabbed Big Mac and pulled the pit bull off the child, said sheriff's Sgt. Larry Nesbit.

Carlson said Gracie suffered a cut lip, scrapes on her cheek and puncture wounds on her forehead and the top of her head. Her parents began driving her to a hospital, he said.

As they were driving, Carlson said, they phoned 911. A dispatcher told them to pull over and wait for San Marcos Fire Department paramedics on Twin Oaks Valley Road at Windy Lane.

The couple did, and paramedics did what they could for Gracie before Mercy Air flew her to Children's Hospital, deputies said. Authorities told DeJulio to keep the dog confined to his home overnight.

Animal control personnel talked to DeJulio Friday morning. He relinquished ownership of the dog, asking that it be euthanized, Carlson said.

He said the dog was disposed of, and the body was taken to a veterinarian to be sure Big Mac didn't have rabies.

Contact staff writer Jo Moreland at (760) 740-3524 or jmoreland@nctimes.com.