Charleston Animal Control Officers Looking For Dangerous Dog
Early this week your Charleston lawyers at Howell and Christmas, LLC (located at 250 Mathis Ferry Rd. in Mt. Pleasant) heard of a story involving a dangerous pit bull on Daniel Island. According to the Post and Courier, a couple driving along River Landing Drive when a dog appeared out of nowhere, bolting in front of their car. The couple, with best intentions in mind, stopped their vehicle and tried to approach the dog, thinking the animal may be a beloved pet of a family on the island. But, apparently, the dog, which looked to be a pit bull, did not appreciate the gesture and proceeded to launch a "vicious attack" on a nearby woman's dog. The woman who had gotten out of the car, again with best intentions, tried to intervene in the melee, but was bitten by the animal she originally tried to help. Fortunately, the dog bite did not result in any serious injuries, due in part because the woman was wearing a sweater at the time of the attack, preventing the bite from penetrating the skin of her bicep. Needless to say, this well- intentioned citizen is hoping she doesn't run into the loose dog again after being seriously frightened by this encounter.
Responding Charleston police officers later determined that this same pit bull was involved in another incident in which another dog was bitten. Animal control officers are still trying to find the dangerous pit, and believe the dog belongs to someone on Daniel Island, as the animal was reported to have a collar.
In an unrelated incident, last Saturday Goose Creek police officers shot two pit bulls after the animals allegedly attacked other dogs and charged at the officers. One of the dogs was killed in the shooting and the owner of the animals is charged with the counts of lack of restraint and two counts of nuisance animal. A court date for the 28-year-old owner is scheduled for November 17 and the court will decide then if the owner is allowed to regain possession of the surviving pit bull.
The Goose Creek maintains that the responding officers acted appropriately in their decision to use lethal force on the animals, as the pits were running loose and posed a serious threat to the people that encountered the animals, as well as the responding officers. According to police reports and statements acquired from Crowfield area pet owners, the two pit bulls have attacked other dogs and have had to be chased away by shovels and water hoses to break up dog fights.
Under the South Carolina Code of Laws, the owner of the dog or other person having the dog in his care or keeping is liable for the damages suffered by the person bitten or otherwise attacked. Additionally, your South Carolina attorneys know dog bite victims not only suffer from the physical injuries associated with the attack such as facial and body scarring, broken bones and other traumas, but also may be forced to endure emotional and psychological damages such as fear of going outside after an attack.
In both instances outlined above the animals were reported to be roaming freely without supervision, and according to S.C. Code of Laws it is unlawful any county or municipality for a dog owner to allow his/her dog to run at large off of property owned, rented, or controlled by him/her. Also, it is unlawful to keep an unruly or vicious dog unless the animal is under restraint by a fence, chain, or other means so that the dog cannot reach persons not on land owned, leased, or controlled by the dog owner.
With that being said, your Charleston accident lawyers would like to urge all pet owners to keep control of their pets, regardless of the animal's disposition, just as a precaution to avoid situations like those described in this blog post.
More Blog Posts: North Charleston On the Job Injury Lawyers Recognize National Dog Bite Prevention Week, North Charleston Police Officer Attacked By Dog, Forced to Use Lethal Force To Curb Attack
