Community Corner

No Charges Will Be Filed in Fatal Mauling Case

Investigation deems dogs are feral so no one is at fault in the brutal death of an elderly amputee.

No charges will be filed in the fatal mauling involving four dogs in Harleyville, according to a Dorchester County Sheriff's Office statement.

The dogs were deemed "feral" during an extensive investigation, despite initial reports that three of the four dogs that fatally attacked an elderly double amputee belonged to his neighbor.

Carlton Freeman, 80, died days after his attack, but was able to speak to authorities and first responders. 

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The Sheriff's Office released this statement:

Information obtained shows that the animals in question were feral dogs and did not belong to any one person.  It was the victims request and is now his families wish that no charges be made in this case.

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The Sheriff's Office worked with the First Circuit Solicitor's Office, Animal Control and the Coroner's Office during the investigation.

Click here to see photos of the dogs.

As of Tuesday morning, three of the four dogs involved in the attack have been captured, but the fourth dog remains at large. According to one deputy, the dog has not been seen in the area for a week.


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