South Carolina: Labrador mix rescued after she was seen limping and dragging a leg-hold trap on her crushed foot

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA -- An online video of a dog being rescued after her foot was crushed in a metal coyote trap has gone viral.

The video shot by California animal rescuers Eldad Hagar and Loreta Frankonyte, with Hope For Paws, was posted March 20 on YouTube and Facebook.

In less than a week, it was watched nearly 548,000 times on YouTube and shared more than 4,500 times on Facebook.

Someone in Gaston in Lexington County called Hagar and told him that the black Labrador Retriever mix had lived in a forest for about a year before she stepped on a metal foot-hold spring trap intended for a coyote.

Steel-jaw spring traps are legal in South Carolina and several other states.

 

 

 

Animal control officers had been trying unsuccessfully for five days to trap or catch the dog, which was clearly in severe pain, so someone called Hope for Paws for help.

Hagar and Frankonyte flew in from California and searched along with officers for a full day. They thought the dog might be afraid of the officers, so they asked to search alone on the second day.

They set a humane trap for the dog, but she avoided it. She had no human contact for a year, so she would not allow anyone to get near her, but even from a distance, it was clear the heavy trap she was dragging had crushed her right front paw.

 

 

Finally, when they got close enough to the dog, Frankonyte sat on the ground and tossed pieces of cheeseburger to her, talking reassuringly for more than two hours as the dog inched closer. But suddenly the dog got spooked and retreated into the woods.

Hagar had several soccer nets that he used in captures in California shipped to him overnight. They recruited volunteers who helped spread out the nets around an area where the dog had been spotted between some trees and a building. The volunteers then closed in on the dog, cornering her so that Hagar could snap her with a noose.

They rushed the dog to a Lexington County animal hospital.

The dog was anesthetized, and the rusty trap was pried off her foot. While she was at the animal hospital. It was also discovered that she had heartworm.

Hagar and Frankonyte stayed another day to be sure the dog which they named Hermione, was medically stable, before making the three-day drive across the country. They stopped each day to have a veterinarian change the bandages. Hagar said that every day, Hermione would lose more bone from her decaying foot.

  

 

 

 

They took Hermione to Dr. Robert Olds, a veterinary surgeon in West Los Angeles, who performed two reconstructive surgeries on her foot.

The healing took a couple of months, but when the bandages came off, Hermione began to immediately to walk and even trot around on her reconstructed paw while continuously wagging her tail.

She was treated for several months for heartworms, but Hagar announced last week that Hermione is completely healthy and ready to be adopted.

Hagar asked those who saw the video and who follow him online to encourage changing laws to outlaw metal spring traps.

CRUEL AND BARBARIC LEG-HOLD TRAPS
According to analysis by the Law Library of Congress, more than 100 countries worldwide ban steel-jaw traps.

The United States is not one of them.

Their use is banned or restricted in several U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington.

In South Carolina, steel-jaw foot-hold or leg-hold traps can be used without a license, with the only stipulation being that traps must be checked at least once daily, from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset.

VIDEO OF RESCUE:

(WYFF - March 26, 2018)

South Carolina: Maltipoo named Benny mauled by a Pit Bull

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Hello Friends,  As most of you know on the afternoon of February 8, 2018, our precious Maltipoo Benny was attacked by a vicious pit bull right in front of my eyes.

We believe the doctors can repair the damage and he will be ok.  Benny is in need of emergency surgery. This is going to cost thousands of dollars.

Our family would be forever grateful if you could help.

GOFUNDME: Help Benny
Created February 9, 2018
Jamie Chisler Pfaffenbichler 
  Emergencies
  SUMMERVILLE, SC

So far they've raised $400 of $3,500 goal. She needs to be more specific. What is wrong with Benny? Post photos of his injuries, his estimated bills. What happened with the Pit Bull and owner?

She'll get some donations from friends and family, but strangers will not donate to fundraising pages that are so threadbare in details.

 

 

South Carolina: Darlington girl, 7, attacked by pit bull

SOUTH CAROLINA -- A 7-year-old girl had to have medical treatment after she was bitten by a pit bull Monday evening on Governor Williams Highway in Darlington County.

Darlington County Animal Control officials said they picked up the dog and will quarantine it for 10 days.

Officials with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said they've been notified of the incident and the pit bull will be housed at Darlington County Animal Shelter to determine if rabies was a factor in the incident.

The girl's mother said her daughter was outside with a friend when the dog attacked and bit her on the arm and chest.

The mother said the dog apparently got away from its owner's home.

She added the pit bull has chased her daughter before.

(WPDE - January 30, 2018)

South Carolina: Elderly man, 77, brutally attacked, 'dragged away' by American Bulldogs on Upstate golf course

SOUTH CAROLINA -- A 77-year-old man was brutally attacked by two dogs Wednesday morning on an Upstate golf course, according to Sgt. Ryan Flood, with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Flood said just after 9 a.m., the man was walking on the Links O’Tryon Golf Course on New Cut Road in Campobello.

 

Prior to the dogs attacking the elderly man, they were terrorizing staff and customers at the Dimitri's Restaurant. Waitress Dana Jordan recorded video with her phone of the two American Bulldogs milling about the entrance, barking and growling at them.

Another news article says Animal Control was called, but when they arrived, the dogs had already disappeared. Two hours later they got the call about the man being mauled at the golf course.

He said two dogs approached the man and began to “brutally attack him.”

The victim was at one point “dragged to a creek area” by the dogs, Jamie Nelson, director of Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement, told TV station WSPA.

A witness called 911 and two firefighters from the Gowensville Fire Department arrived and were able to get the dogs away from the man.

 

When deputies arrived, they said they found the man with substantial bite marks on his body, Flood said.

He was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

“I’ve never seen any stray dogs," Josh Phillips, a resident near the course, said. "This is the first time I’ve heard of anything like this happening here.”

 

 

Flood said the mix-breed dogs did not have any identifiers on them and are being considered strays.

 

 

The dogs were captured by the Spartanburg County Animal Control and taken to Greenville County Animal Control. The dogs will remain in their care pending an investigation.

A woman at the shelter said the dogs are boxer bulldogs [No, no. They're American Bulldogs]. Animal Control is asking anyone who recognizes the dogs to call them at 864-467-7595.

  

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(WYFF4 - January 10, 2018)

South Carolina: Why won't the Sheriff's Office admit that it was two Pit Bulls and a German Shepherd that killed this boy?

SOUTH CAROLINA -- A Gaffney resident says Friday night’s dog attack should never have happened.

According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, 8-year-old Korbin Williams of Daniel Morgan School Road was walking outside with another friend when the two boys were attacked by three dogs.

The friend survived a bite to the leg, however Williams died from injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to dogsbite.org, in the Cherokee County Sheriff Dispatch archived recording of December 1, the dispatcher described the dogs as, "Two Pit Bulls and one German Shepherd." 

911 DISPATCH AUDIO:

Donald Blanton is also a resident of Daniel Morgan School Road, and lives next door to the owner of the dogs. He tells News 4 that he and his wife have had problems with these dogs for years.

“When I was cutting my grass I carried a gun to make sure the dogs didn’t come at me,” Blanton said. “When I was outside I just carried a stick with me to make sure the dogs didn’t come at me.”

Blanton says he contacted the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and was directed to animal control.

He says that despite countless calls, animal control only came out once to pick up one of the dogs. However, Blanton says the dog was soon returned to the owner.

“They told me there was nothing they could do so they didn’t come out there or even look at the problem,” Blanton said.

Blanton said he was not alone with his complaints. He says his neighbor had also had problems and voiced those problems to animal control.

“The dogs kept going over there getting into (the neighbor’s) fence and killing his chickens and ducks.”

 

Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller says, however, that they do not have any reports of the dogs being vicious.

Note: This is not true. The neighbor says they've been complaining FOR YEARS.

He says that Williams’ mother, Bianca Thomas, was "looking after the dogs", and the 8-year-old was often seen looking after and playing with the dogs. 

“This was not just dogs that got out and attacked a random person,” Mueller said. “There was some history there.”

He encourages anyone to still come forward with instances involving the dog’s aggressive behaviors. However, he does not expect it to alter the investigation.

Currently no criminal charges have been filed.

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(WYFF4 - December 5, 2017)

Earlier:

• South Carolina: Eight-year-old boy mauled to death by dogs
• South Carolina: Little boy, 8, mauled to death by dogs knew them; had just fed them
• South Carolina: All dogs believed to be involved in mauling death of 8-year-old negative for rabies

South Carolina: Two Pit Bulls and German Shepherd, believed to be involved in mauling death of 8-year-old, negative for rabies

SOUTH CAROLINA -- One 8-year-old is dead and another child injured in Gaffney after being attacked by multiple dogs on Friday.

Major Richard Turner with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said two children were walking down the road from one home to another home when they were attacked by three dogs on Daniel Morgan School Road.

Turner said one of the children tried to help save 8-year-old Korbin Michael Williams, but couldn't. Williams died from his injuries.

The second child, also 8-years-old, was also bitten once on the leg and was being treated at a local hospital, said Turner.

"Korbin was walking with another 8-year-old boy on the roadway across from his home about 3:45 p.m. when 3 dogs attacked them both," explained Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler. "Korbin sustained multiple bites over his body  by the dogs while the other boy was bitten once on the leg.  While the dogs were still attacking young Korbin, his friend ran to his nearby home for help. The friend’s mother and a neighbor rushed to Korbin and called 9-1-1."

According to the coroner, Williams was familiar with the dogs and cared for them by feeding and playing with them daily. Fowler said Williams had just fed the dogs minutes before the attack occurred.

Fowler said Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed he died from blood loss due to puncture wounds inflicted by the dogs.

Deputies approached two dogs at a nearby residence that were believed to be involved. Turner said the dogs became aggressive with deputies, and deputies made the decision to put them down.

911 DISPATCH AUDIO:

All the dogs are mixed breeds and had no prior history of aggression, according to the sheriff. The sheriff said the victim's mother was caring for the dogs while their owner was out of town and the dogs escaped by crawling underneath a fence.

Note: This is untrue that they had no prior knowledge of these dogs being a problem. Neighbors say they've complained about these dogs - two Pit Bulls and a German Shepherd - for years. They also complained that they were attacking and killing livestock and that animal control and the Sheriff's office refused to do anything.

"As they approached the home to try and make contact with the homeowner, the dogs were able to exit the fence," explained Major Turner. "They approached our deputies aggressively and our deputies had no choice but to put two of those dogs down."

 

 

The coroner said the third dog was killed Saturday morning by a resident when it showed up on his yard and became aggressive. After testing was conducted, DHEC said all three of the dogs tested negative for rabies.

"There are just no words to describe this horrible incident," said Coroner Dennis Fowler. "I am heartbroken for the victim’s family.”

According to Williams' obituary, the visitation has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Orchard Street Baptist Church Christian Life Center. A memorial service will immediately follow at the church.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(FoxCarolina - Dec 6, 2017)

Earlier:

• South Carolina: Eight-year-old boy mauled to death by dogs
• South Carolina: Little boy, 8, mauled to death by dogs knew them; had just fed them

South Carolina: Little boy, 8, mauled to death by dogs knew them; had just fed them

SOUTH CAROLINA -- We’ve learned the name of an eight-year-old child who was mauled to death by a pack of dogs [later described as two Pit Bulls and a German Shepherd]. The Cherokee County Coroner has identified him as Korbin Michael Williams.

A relative tells 7 News they’re in shock over the loss of this little boy. They describe his personality as outgoing and friendly and say he was in first grade at Northwest Elementary School.

“It’s a tragic situation,” said Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Major Richard Turner. “Nobody ever wants to be involved in something like this.”

Blue lights lit up Daniel Morgan School Road in Cherokee County after emergency personnel was called there around 4:20 p.m. Friday.

“We got a call to respond to a possible child being assaulted by a dog,” said Major Turner.

911 DISPATCH AUDIO:

Sheriff’s office investigators say Williams was walking between two houses when he was attacked by 3 dogs. Deputies say another 8-year-old child tried to help but was bitten. Major Turner said that child ran to get help from adults, but it was too late.

“Korbin sustained multiple bites over his body by the dogs while the other boy was bitten once on the leg,” said Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler. “While the dogs were still attacking young Korbin, his friend ran to his nearby home for help. The friend’s mother and a neighbor rushed to Korbin and called 9-1-1.”

Investigators said the child’s family was familiar with the dogs but they were not the owners.

“This is an absolute tragedy. The boy was familiar with the dogs having cared for them by feeding and playing with them daily. He had just fed them on Friday minutes before the attack occurred,” Fowler said.

Major Turner says deputies found the 3 dogs that were inside a fence at another home.

“They [deputies] approached attempting to make contact with the homeowner. There were several dogs in the fence,” said Major Turner. “The dogs were able to exit the fence – they approached our deputies aggressively and our deputies had no choice but to put two of those dogs down.”

Major Turner says chaplains were there to help everyone cope with the tragedy.

“This was a horrible situation for the deputies and for the family members, for the neighbors who witnessed this,” said Major Turner.

 

 

A neighbor killed the third dog.

The family of Korbin invited Batman to come to his celebration of life service planned for Thursday.  Visitation is from 2-4pm, followed by the service at 4pm.  It’s at Orchard Street Baptist Church, 1821 Double Branch Road, in Cowpens.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WSPA - December 4, 2017)

Earlier:

• South Carolina: Eight-year-old boy mauled to death by dogs