Dillon County Sheriff's Office Capt. Cliff Arnette says on Tuesday, February 4, an employee of the Department of Health and Environmental Control was responding to a work-related call on Wilderness Place when he encountered the dogs.
He managed to call 911, but when deputies got on scene the dogs were still attacking the man. They had to immediately take action, shooting the dogs as EMS rushed the man to the hospital.
The employee was listed in critical condition. While the sheriff's office does not want his name released, a family member says he was put into a medically-induced coma.
The dogs were being tested for rabies while the Dillon County Sheriff's Office investigated who may be at fault for the attack.
On Tuesday morning, 31-year-old Mitchell Driggers turned himself in and was charged with owning a dangerous animal which attacks and injuries a human being. The bond hearing was held Tuesday morning in front of a magistrate judge.
The neighborhood where the attack occurred is located between Dillon and Little Rock. Part of the investigation looked into the law, to see if an ordinance is in place for that section of the county that requires owners to keep their pets locked up or on a leash.
"Our thoughts are with the employee at this time," stated DHEC spokesman Jim Beasley shortly after the attack was reported.
(WMBF - March 31, 2014)
Earlier:
