SIOUX CITY -- The grandparents of a man stopped by a police officer Thursday during a routine traffic stop contended the police K9 should be euthanized because the dog bit their grandson.

Councilman Aaron Rochester, whose own dog, Jake, was ordered euthanized for biting a neighbor in June, pointed out that the city's vicious animal law exempts K9s from being put to death for biting someone.

Franklin and Winifred Phillips of Sioux City told the City Council on Monday they believe their grandson, Nathaniel Ray Deal, 30, was mistreated by the officer in part because he is Indian.

"He had to have 18 stiches, and I had to patch him up," Winifred Phillips said.

Councilman Jim Rixner noted the couple met with Police Chief Doug Young, who offered to let them watch the video recording of the incident taken from the police officer's squad car. Capt. Lisa Claeys told the council the couple had not seen the video Monday, saying, "Watching the video would have answered a lot of their concerns."

Winifred Phillips replied, "We were just too busy today."

According to the police report in the case, the officer said he saw Deal driving a 1992 Suburban with expired license plates at 3:22 a.m. Thursday. After he stopped Deal in the 2500 block of West 20th Street. Deal got out of the vehicle and ran, with the officer and his dog pursuing him.

After apprehending Deal, the officer wrote, "While the defendant was on the ground, he kicked my police K9, which in return, my K9 bit his right leg."

Deal was charged with possession of cocaine, a serious misdemeanor, and with other simple misdemeanor charges including eluding a police officer, maltreatment of a police dog and driving while his license was suspended. Deal posted a $5,500 bond at the Woodbury County Jail.

City Manager Paul Eckert said he will arrange for the couple to meet again with Chief Young and will ask Karen Mackey, head of the city's Human Rights Commission, to attend.