Girl hospitalized in stable condition after dog attack

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A Lexington county sheriff's deputy shot and killed a pit-bull in Batesburg-Leesville today as the dog "viciously" attacked a 10-year-old girl.

The unidentified girl was listed in stable condition Thursday night after surgery at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital "to address serious injuries that she suffered," a statement from the Lexington County Sheriff's Department said. She was airlifted to the hospital after the attack.

The attack occurred around 11 a.m. outside the home of 27-year-old Jennifer Barnes at 179 Bethlehem Circle near Batesburg-Leesville.

Barnes was not at home at the time of the attack. Her three pit-bulls were running loose in violation of county law that requires pets to be restrained or confined when outside a residence. The two surviving dogs were taken into custody by animal control officers, and Barnes was cited for the violations.

Because the child who was attacked was not in Barnes’ care and Barnes had no reason to believe her dogs would attack, no further charges are anticipated, the Sheriff's Department said.

Before Thursday's attack there were no complaints about Barnes’ dogs, the department said.

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Friday, Jan. 14, 2011

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Girl hospitalized in stable condition after dog attack

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