Pit bull owner charged after dog escapes, fatally attacks Chihuahua, SC cops say

A dog owner was charged after the animal escaped a fenced in yard and attacked a smaller dog, which had to be euthanized, according to police.

It happened Saturday in the Whatley Place area of North Augusta in Aiken County, according to Lt. Luke Sherman of the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.

A man was walking his Chihuahua on a leash through the neighborhood when they passed a pit bull that was in a fenced in yard, Sherman said. The pit bull was able to escape and attacked the chihuahua.

The smaller dog was taken to an animal hospital, where it had to be euthanized, Sherman said. WJBF reports that the owner decided to euthanize the dog because of the extent of its injuries.

The dog’s owner was not injured.

The owner of the pit bull was charged with dog at large, which is a city misdemeanor, Sherman said. Animal control officers did not take the pit bull; however, they will follow up with the owner this week, Sherman said.

This story was originally published February 17, 2019 at 2:16 PM.