Pet dog critically injures delivery driver in attack, SC sheriff says
A delivery driver was seriously injured when attacked by a dog Tuesday morning, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to a call about the animal attack at a home in Rembert, the sheriff’s office said Thursday in a news release.
The delivery driver was attempting to drop off a package at a Claremont Road home when a resident’s pet dog attacked, according to the release. That’s in the area near Shaw Air Force Base.
Deputies and EMS personnel went to the home and the delivery driver was airlifted to Prisma Health Richland hospital in Columbia, the sheriff’s office said.
As of Thursday, the victim was in critical condition, according to the release.
“The injuries sustained by the victim are extremely traumatic,” Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in the release.
The dog, a Cane Corso/pit bull mix, was identified and was quarantined by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division, according to the release. The sheriff’s office said it’s investigating the attack and will determine if the dog is vicious.
“Animal ownership is a privilege and is a serious responsibility,” Dennis said.
Dog attacks in Sumter County
A similar incident happened in June 2024 in Sumter County.
A South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper went to a Wedgefield home to deliver paperwork when a pit bull charged in his direction after coming out from underneath the home, the sheriff’s office said.
The trooper yelled, “Get back!” and fatally shot the pet dog to defend himself from the attack, the sheriff’s office said. After an investigation, the sheriff’s office determined that the trooper’s actions were justifiable.
The was another notable dog attack in Sumter in April 2023.
Two malnourished dogs mauled a woman, and one was killed by a deputy while the other ran away, leading to a search, the sheriff’s office said. The second dog was ultimately found and euthanized, according to the sheriff’s office.
The woman was severely injured and taken to an area hospital, where she underwent extensive surgery, the sheriff’s office said.
The woman was taking an early-morning walk on Oswego Highway when the attack occurred, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies found two emaciated-looking dogs attacking the woman in a ditch, the sheriff’s office said. When a deputy yelled, one dog ran away, but the second dog released the victim and turned to attack the deputy — who was forced to shoot and kill it, according to the sheriff’s office.
Only one of the dogs had a collar, and part of a chain was attached, the sheriff’s office said. There was no word if the animals’ owner was ever located.
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 1:46 PM.
