WEST UNION — Oconee County Animal Control officials said Thursday that a 4-year-old boy attacked by a pit bull the day before was being treated at a Greenville hospital.
Animal Control Director Jerry Zimmerman said the dog was shot and killed when the animal hindered emergency personnel from helping the injured child.
The incident occurred about 5 p.m. at 122 Union Crossing Road in West Union. The child’s parents were visiting their friends at that address when the dog, whose weight was estimated 125-150 pounds, attacked the boy.
Zimmerman said the dog bit the boy on the right leg, injuring the femoral artery.
“The boy was tore up pretty bad,” Zimmerman said. “He apparently suffered more than one bite.”
Emergency personnel had to enter the property through a back door to help the child because the dog was lying near the front door.
Deputies shot the dog when it made an aggressive movement toward the officials and toward them as the boy was being taken to an ambulance.
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August 22, 2008
7:16 a.m.Report inappropriate content
When will people ever learn about these dogs? They are so dangerous, yet people continue to to think that it is so cool to own one. You hear people say, "Oh, it won't hurt you, I raised it from a pup". Tell this to the child's parents. I don't care how safe the owners try to make them out to be, I won't get within a mile of one. It should be against the law to own them. This child will be traumatized for the rest of his life. It must have been a horrible thing to see. God bless this child.
August 22, 2008
8:16 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The owners should be put in a cage with a strange pit bulldog that someone else raised from a pup and see how long they last. I will shoot any pit bull that sets foot in my yard. Way to go deputies.
August 22, 2008
1:52 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Not all pitbulls are bad. Any dog can turn and attack. If you look up the dog that causes the most bites to humans it is a golden retriever, not a pit. As for saying it should be against the law to own one, it should be against the law for stupid people who don't check all the facts to post things. Whether you like pits or not, no-one has the right to say that someone should not be allowed to own the dog that they choose. I have had two, they both are gentle and well behaved. It does depend on how you raise them and treat them, and that applies to all dogs. They get bad publicity, but they are not all bad!!! Any dog when threatened will attack it is instinct, for their survival.
August 22, 2008
3:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
jenniferwilks...the argument is not about which dog causes the most injuries but in this case, it was a pit bull that caused this injury. The posts prior to yours are the opinions of those that made the entries and just like you, they have a right to voice their opinion....just as you, without being labeled as "stupid". Wonder why the pit bulls get bad publicity?????
August 22, 2008
7:42 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Price2544, while I feel extremely bad for the family and child that suffered this the fact remains that not all pits are bad. Some are, but the majority are not. People are acting and speaking stupidly when they want pits outlawed, this is a free country and I have a right to own whatever dog I want. If it had been a chow that attacked someone it would not have even been in the paper. Closed minded people give pits all the bad publicity, while I realize they cause injury they should not be singled out. I have a right to own my dog, and if people don't like them thats fine, but they can't tell me what I can and can't do in my own home. My only point is that pits get bad publicity and its because of all the bad articles about them that people are scared. ANY DOG CAN ATTACK!!!! If you don't like pits then don't own one, but don't try to control others lifes. If a white man with red hair beats his wife does that mean all white men with red hair do. And where was the family that should have been watching the 4 year old, anyways if the pit was lose. This seems to me to be poor judgement by someone to have the dog loose, anyways!!!
August 22, 2008
9:06 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I'm not sure if this is true but I heard this particular dog was tied out with a chain and had broken off the chain. Any dog who is tied out for a majority of their lives will be agressive. It's not natural for dogs to be tied out. And it's not like the child "wondered" into these people's yard. They were invited over. I think the dog owners are responsible. Just pray the child is going to be okay!
August 22, 2008
9:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Silvbul is correct....I feel it is inhuman to chain a dog hours upon end. The people that do this should not be allowed to own a dog. I think Spartanburg adopted a law that states you can't tie a dog out but just so many hours at a time. Oconee County needs to adopt a similar law. If you want to own a dog ...great, but at least provide it a place that it can have some freedom to move about. I, to, believe it tends to make a dog aggressive to stay chained to a post or the bumper of an old junked car all the time. If those people that do this were chained up like this they might get a little bit mad also. On the other hand, I would kinda like to see that happen to a few of them.
August 23, 2008
6:39 a.m.Report inappropriate content
jenniferwilks, in all of the calls I have ever responded to, the only one I have ever had to shoot a dog is a pit. The only other time I have had a dog try to bite me is an Australian shephard, and they are very territorial (sp?). My point being, Pits are aggressive animals by nature, just as dobermans are. Where there's smoke, there's fire, and I've had to defend myself against enough of these animals to know that it's not just how they were raised. They are unpredictable, and will turn on their masters' children, and I think it is irresponsible to allow children around them at all. Just my opinion and experience, don't crucify me too bad.
August 23, 2008
8:02 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Dogs do behave the way they are trained and treated. These two have never shown aggression,but anyone's can. We have always kept our dogs chained up. The #1 reason for that is so neighbors can't gripe and complain that "our" dogs are the ones that tore up their garbage or gardens, not to mention chased the cat. Also, it stops them from loafing around the neighborhood keeping them out of the road so they don't get run over. I get sick of dodging dogs running loose in the community. It is the same five over and over. No, they definitely belong to the people down the road, who doesn't seem to care.
They come through our yard at night and cause our dogs to bark. Then the neighbor gets ticked off because they get woke up by the barking. If these people kept their dogs up, end of problem.
I am curious though, why did they wait for the cops to do this? I love my dogs, but I have to say, if this happened to a child at my house the dog is going down. If a dog does this once it will do it again.
A friend of my in-laws gave us a registered Rottweiller(too much dog for him) to breed with ours. We had him only two weeks and wasn't used to his demeanor yet, so we put him on a run. My husband was trying to feed him. He bared his teeth and launched at his face. He let it slide that time, but not when it happened again the next day. We had a 2 & 3 yr old at the time. One time like that would have killed them instantly. We were not chancing it. We put him down. If he did it twice, he'd do it again to our babies.
August 23, 2008
10:26 a.m.Report inappropriate content
ok jenniferwilks:
I hate pit bulls, rottweillers, chows, german shepards, mixed pit bulls & rottweillers and any other dog than is capable of doing what this pitt did to this child. The statistics are against you dear. You shouldn't post stupid comments without checking your facts. If this had been anyone's child that is so "gung ho" on these monsters, it would be a different story wouldn't it. I hope it never happens to you. I don't care how many of the dogs anyone owns, but if you own one there should be a law that you must have it fenced in so that it can't get out. If I have to tie a dog up to keep it, then I would get rid of it.
August 23, 2008
12:26 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Goldens might bite the most, but pit bulls and Rottweilers are responsible for half of all fatal attacks. So a Golden might bite, but not kill. Pit bulls might not bite as often, but once they do, they kill people.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/dogbites.h...
August 23, 2008
12:32 p.m.Report inappropriate content
This is my opinion: There are certain dogs that over the years have been bred for agressive traits. This is certainly not the dogs fault, but is is a fact none the less. I think that there is enough evidence to have certain breeds classified as high risk. If you chose to own one then you have to go by guidelines for their containment. Not tied up, but fenced in. If they attack someone they should be put down and the owners charged and prosecuted as if they had been the one to cause the attack. That way it is still your choice if you wish to own one. An attack would not be a worry because the animal would be kept properly.
August 23, 2008
1:12 p.m.Report inappropriate content
You all make great points about the dogs. I would never leave any child alone with any dog. We had a chow that was raised in the house with our two boys. She did everything with us. When she was a year old we decided to have her bred. We put her on a chain in the yard for a few days and the first thing she did when our youngest went to her was bite him on the face. We now have a small terrier type but I still don't want a child alone with him. My nephew wants to get down in his face but I won't let him. NEVER LEAVE A CHILD OR AN ELDERLY PERSON ALONE WITH A DOG NO MATTER WHAT BREED IT IS.
August 23, 2008
1:18 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I also meant to add tnat we had a neibor with three half breed collies running loose that killed our dacshehound. They literally tortured our little dog all dy as we searched for him. My husband found him all three dogs standing over him on the neighbors property. When he tried to get our dog the other dogs growled and my husband shot all three where they stood. Then he called a deputy out and told the neighbor. The deputy asked if we wanted to press charges.
August 23, 2008
1:44 p.m.Report inappropriate content
How many times in this column have people mentioned neighborhood dogs running loose? Think about it. Way too many. It's cruel and inhumane to tie a dog in the yard for hours at a time, but it's also illegal, by county ordinance, to allow dogs to run loose. Negligent dog owners allow their dogs to turn over garbage cans, get other dogs barking at midnight, and attack neighbors, but victims in the neighborhood are also negligent in not calling animal control to have these loose dogs, and their backward owners dealt with. Get a fence, dog owners. Get a fence!
August 23, 2008
2:08 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I just got some info that the dog belonged to Mexicans in the neighborhood even though, using reverse address look up, the property apparently is owned by a female with an American first and last name.
I've had two Australian Shepherds that wouldn't hurt a fly. The one I have now doesn't know what a stranger is which is infuriating, but she's a lovable useless feeder.
August 23, 2008
7:43 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Its the owners responsibilty to train the dog properly and socialize the dog by using corrective techniques. They should contact a dog trainer and enroll in an obedience class. It is solely the owner of the dog to protect thier dog from harm, just as it is the owners responsibilty to keep thier dog from harming innocent people.I have worked in the veterinary field for 20 years, and the only dog that attacted me severely was a black lab. Another dog that attacked me and kept me from working A WEEK, was a shar-pae. Ive also saw someone attacted by a dashound and injured both hands viciously. I have been chased on an evening walk by a german shephardS because dog owners wont take the responsibility of thier dogs. Stray dogs or dogs that are just set free to roam is unfair to all people. My point being any dog will bite if they are tought this is acceptable behavior. Pitt bulls are very intelligent and lovable dogs when in the right environment. Even Ceasar Melan(the dog whisperer) uses his pitt bulls to help other dogs with behavior problems such as agression. And he has mentioned several times pitt bulls are his choice dog. To people that are looking to purchase a dog you should do research on the breed that you choose before you make a lifelong committment to purchase the dog, With crime rate the way it is, and home invasions I feel safe having my pitt bull living and sleeping with me every night and day and I have I right to do this because I am a free AMERICAN! If you dont have time for a dog and have to keep them in a fence or on a chain 24/7 you need to think about buying fish. Its not any breeds fault, ITS THE OWNER!
August 23, 2008
8:11 p.m.Report inappropriate content
You are right dianax4, we are all free Americans and can do what ever we please. As long as it doesn't hurt other people. I have 3 dogs (small) and I love them very much but I would never own a pitbull.
August 23, 2008
10:29 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Eventhough I don't like confining dogs long periods of time, a nice size kennel or cable runner is a much better place for a dog rather than tying them out on a 10ft chain. Also, I live way outside the city limits on a 20 acre farm surrounded by 100's of more acreage. My dogs run loose because I have the room; it's people in town or with close neighbors who need to watch their dogs. I do agree dogs can cause a lot of discomfort to others but I don't feel it's necessary to confine all dogs to a life of misery. Try just sitting in your bathroom all day looking out the window; that's what a confined dog feels like.
August 24, 2008
7:47 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Agreed, silvbul, but with as much land as you have, it's very possible your dogs never leave your own land. The county ordinance is clear. An "animal at large" is defined as "an animal not under the restraint of a person capable of controlling the animal and/or off the premises of the owner". Terms like "where the animal is confined" and "on the premises of the owner" are mentioned throughout the ordinance. No, dog owners have to do more than "watch their dogs", as you mentioned. They have to restrain, and keep them on their own property when not under the owner's control. If they don't have the space, the time to spend with them, the money for vet bills, the time and determination to discipline them, etc, they need to have goldfish for pets, as someone mentioned above.
August 24, 2008
9:01 a.m.Report inappropriate content
I have two boxers, and I have them both on a chain. They seem to like the chain better than being in a fence or kennel. The dogs still have a little freedom but not too much. By the way the chain I use is small, it's not one of those huge logging chains, it's nothing like that.
If a chain is the only way I can keep my dog from roaming around then that's what I have to do.
August 25, 2008
10:05 a.m.Report inappropriate content
My granddaughter was biten by a rotweiler several weeks back, and had to go to the emergency room. It was a neighbors dog that had gotten off of its chain, and came into the yard, but my grandaughter had known the dog since it was a pup. They had to put the dog down. The neighbors were so nice and understanding. Sad for my granddaughter and for the loss of their dog. It too, had not been agressive until that moment. Fence them in.
August 25, 2008
2:24 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Why does everyone need the biggest or meanest dog? If you need a mean dog to protect you or your property, you got problems. I do understand there is a community in the city of Spartanburg that does not have a dog problem,especially those that WERE running loose. The culture of this community is to eat dogs. They LOVE them, maybe we can start a community of these dog lovers in this area!! I don't like dogs!!
September 11, 2008
11:54 p.m.Report inappropriate content
150 pounds THIS DOG WAS NOT A PITBULL! The media adds pitbull for shock value. If you type into google "akc pitbull weight" you will see the first listing will be the American kennel club and it says a pitbull max weight is 60 pounds 1/3 the size of the dog in the media! Please think for yourself... Thanks