12 year old Hartsville girl attacked by dog

Hartsville Police Depart-ment officers responded to a call at 1212 Myrtle St., which is Forest Ridge Apartments, and found a 12-year-old girl who had been bitten multiple times by a dog, Hartsville Police Chief Tim Kemp said Wednesday.

According to Kemp, the dog chased the girl and knocked her down. She was bitten multiple times, he said. “EMS was called, and she was transported to Carolina Pines Regional Medical facility,” he said. “My understanding is that she was treated and released.”

He said she was bitten in the face, thigh and stomach. “Fortunately, I looked at the pictures,” Kemp said, “and it’s not as bad as you might envision when you hear that.” Kemp said the girl probably had to have stitches, however.

Upon investigation, officers found that a black and white-colored pit bull had broken from its leash and come to the area from a residence on Sixth St, Kemp said.
Kemp said officers were unable to find anyone at the residence and later learned the dog’s owner was incarcerated.

The dog was taken by animal control and taken into quarantine, Kemp said.

After cases in which the owner of the dog cannot be located, animal control quarantines the dog for a period of time
to ensure the animal is free of diseases such as rabies.

There were puppies at the residence that were also taken into custody by animal control.

The Hartsville P.D. is awaiting an update from DHEC.

Kemp said he is unaware if anyone was taking care of the dog.

The young girl saw the dog coming toward her with his broken leash dangling and was immediately frightened, Kemp said.

Kemp said they would continue to investigate to learn if someone was responsible for care of the dog.