SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A Sumter woman is in critical condition after being attacked by two dogs early Easter morning.
According to deputies with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a call around 6 a.m. Sunday, April 9, regarding a woman in the 900 block of Oswego Highway/US 401 possibly being attacked by dogs. That location is close to the intersection of US 76/378/Robert E Graham Freeway.
Arriving at the scene, deputies found two dogs attacking a woman in a ditch. One dog ran away after a deputy yelled and approached the victim. A second dog let go of the woman but then turned to attack the deputy, who was forced to shoot and kill the dog.
EMS transported the woman to Prisma Tuomey Hospital and Animal Control was called to search for the second dog.
As of Monday afternoon, the second dog has not been captured.
SCSO has reassigned deputies to conduct visits to homes in the vicinity in an attempt to identify the owner of the dogs.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis said, “This is preventable and intolerable. Dogs must not be allowed to roam freely. Those who love their pets must not only provide water, food, and shelter, but also keep them humanely restrained. We ask that citizens report any dogs that are at large to Animal Control.”
Anyone with information about the dogs are asked to contact SCSO at 803-436-2000.
If an dog is roaming free that is suspected to be dangerous, the public is strongly urged to avoid it and call 911.
Sumter County Animal Control may be reached by calling (803) 436-2066.