A 71-year-old grandmother was killed by a pitbull that tore her off her bicycle and attacked her to death.
Karen Nelson, a music teacher from Florence, South Carolina, suffered “serious injuries from a dog bite” in the city on Friday.
The beast knocked her off her bike as she was returning home, causing multiple traumatic injuries, including a hole in her neck, authorities said.
The locals said ABC15 The pitbull was known for causing chaos in the area. He would often chase people walking, riding in golf carts or even driving cars.
One man added that he often saw the dog’s owner struggling to control the animal while it was on a leash.
Grandmother Karen Nelson (pictured) was killed by a pitbull that tore her off her bike and mauled her to death.
The Florence Police Department said they did not receive any reports or complaints about the dog prior to Nelson’s death.
Capt. Stephen Starling of the department said officers are investigating the incident and determining whether charges will be filed.
Police said the pit bull’s owners, who have not been identified, agreed to euthanize it.
Starling told ABC15 that officers are working to determine if the owner was with the dog at the time of the attack and if it broke free from the leash.
“It is the owners’ responsibility to maintain control of the dog,” he told the outlet.
‘If you have him on a leash and you do everything you can, and the dog gets away, maybe the leash will break, who knows.
“Those things happen, but at the end of the day, ultimately, control and responsibility are still in your hands.”
Starling told ABC15 that officers are working to determine if the owner was with the dog at the time of the attack and if it broke free from its leash (file photo)
Karen Nelson’s son-in-law, William Crawford, described her as “a loving mother and grandmother” and “an incredibly talented and beloved music teacher.”
Karen Nelson’s close friend Mary Crouch remembered her as “one of the best people I have ever known.”
Nelson’s close friend Mary Crouch remembered her as “one of the finest people I have ever known.”
“She always made you feel good. She was a phenomenal person. And what happened was horrible,” Crouch told ABC15.
Nelson’s son-in-law, William Crawford, described her as “a loving mother and grandmother” and “an incredibly talented and beloved music teacher.”
“Karen was very involved in the church here in Florence. With her different pickleball and cycling groups. She had a huge group of friends,” he added.
Under South Carolina law, dog owners are liable for any damage caused by their animal in a public place or if the victim is legally on their property.
If found responsible, they could face jail time.
The only exception is if the victim attacked or provoked the dog before the incident.
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