Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Pit bull's throat slashed after attack on dog, owner

SOUTH CAROLINA -- After a man reportedly defended himself and his pet from an attack by another dog, the solicitor's office says he won't face charges in the dog's death.

According to an incident report from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, deputies received call from an employee at the Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital on Oct. 25 in reference to a gray and white in color pit bull being stabbed and killed.

The employee told deputies the dog was brought to the hospital by his owner, Christopher Cusack, with several wounds to his neck area. She said Cusack told her he was called to his house because his dog had gotten out of the fenced-in area of his home.

At that time, he said he was told his dog had attacked another dog, and was subsequently killed by the other dog's owner with a knife.

According to the veterinary hospital, the pit bull suffered from four non-fatal lacerations/puncture wounds on his neck area, and another two to three inch fatal laceration in the same area. The dog was said to have most likely died as a result of his jugular vein being severed.

When deputies spoke to the owner of the other dog, he said he had been walking his Yorkshire Terrier along Pee Dee Lane when he saw a large pit bull dog coming toward him. He said the pit bull began attacking him and his dog, causing him to be extremely afraid for his safety.

He told deputies he began beating at the pit bull with his fists, but was unable to separate the pit bull from his terrier. At that time, he said he pulled out a pocket knife and began stabbing and cutting at the pit bull, causing the dog to finally let go. He then ran to his home and took his terrier to the vet, and then the emergency animal hospital in Myrtle Beach.

According to the owner, his dog was given a 50 percent chance of survival.

A solicitor tells WMBF News that the owner will not face charges for the incident. WMBF News Reporter Evan Lambert spoke with the pit bull's owner, Christopher Cusack, and will have a report on what you can do to protect yourself and your pets starting on WMBF News at 5 p.m.

[Commenters on the site say the man's terrier died from its injuries.]

(WMBF - Nov 2, 2011)