South Carolina — A 7-year-old girl was taken to a local hospital Thursday after being attacked by a dog, FlorencevPolice Maj. Carlos Raines said.

The attack happened at about 7:30 p.m. near 509 Charles St. in Florence when neighbors called E-911 and said a large black dog had a child by the back of her neck.

When police arrived, the dog had let go of the child and was being held by his neck by a boy.

The dog got away from the boy and began to walk toward police who Tasered him, Raines said.

The dog stopped for a few moments and then continued toward police.

Police shot the dog to death and turned the body over to environmental services officials, Raines said.

Police said the dog’s owner arrived on the scene and was angry because his dog was shot.

The owner said he’d told everyone in the neighborhood that the dog was vicious and to stay away from it.

The dog had been chained on the owner’s property, but had apparently gotten out of its collar, Raines said.

The girl was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries to the back of the head and neck. She is at home recovering, Raines said.

No charges have been filed in the case.

 

Florence man charged after dog attacks child

By Jamie Rogers
Published: September 23, 2010

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FLORENCE — A Florence man who police said owned a dog who attacked and injured a 7-year-old girl a week ago was arrested Wednesday in connection with the attack, Florence Police Lt. James Rodgers said.

Laquan Antawn Williams, 32, of 509 Charles St. is charged with owning a dangerous animal which attacks and injures humans-first offense, Florence County Detention Center booking reports show.

Williams turned himself in to police Wednesday and was released the same day. Bond information wasn’t available.

The attack happened at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 near Williams’ residence when neighbors called E-911 and said a large black dog had a child by the back of her neck in the middle of the street. When police arrived, the dog had let the go of the child and was being held by his neck by a young boy.

The dog got away from the boy and began to walk toward police who Tased him, Florence Police Maj. Carlos Raines said in an earlier report.

The dog would stop for a few moments, then continue coming toward police.

Police eventually shot the dog, believed to be a pit bull, to death and turned its body over to environmental services officials, Raines said.
Police said the dog’s owner arrived on the scene and was very angry because his dog was shot.

The owner said he’d told everyone in the neighborhood that the dog was vicious and to stay away from it.

The dog had been chained on the owner’s property, but had apparently gotten out of its collar, Raines said.

The girl was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries to the back of her head and neck. She is at home recovering, Raines said.

If convicted, Williams could be fined up to $5,000 and receive up to three years in prison.