Officer Shoots Pit Bulls When Dogs Charge

Fearing two charging dogs identified by police as pit bulls, a Goose Creek officer shot the animals while waiting on animal control officers to arrive. One of the dogs died at the scene. The other dog is currently at the Doc Williams SPCA, pending court proceedings.

Officers were called to Crowfield Boulevard around 7:15 p.m. on Saturday regarding two dogs running loose that had allegedly attacked other dogs in the area.

A Guildford Drive resident reported two pit bulls had attacked his grandmother's dog until he chased them off with a shovel. A woman on Candleberry Circle reported that she had to turn a water hose on two pit bulls when they attacked her dog.

In both cases, the description of the animals matched the two dogs found along the walking trail on Crowfield Boulevard. An attempt to restrain and collect the two animals was met with aggressive behavior, according to the officers. They contacted Animal Control for assistance.

While waiting, officers say that joggers appeared along the Crowfield path and angered the pit bulls. After the joggers were redirected across the street, the dogs allegedly charged at the officers. The men pulled out their weapons and told the dogs to sit and the animals followed the command.

But, soon after, the dogs allegedly charged again and refused to obey instructions. One of the officers pulled his gun out again and fired one shot at the head of a female pit bull as it charged at him, killing the dog.

He then turned to a male pit bull charging at the other officer, shooting the dog twice in the side. The animal fled down the walking trail and was picked up at Middleton Park.

According to animal control, the dogs had been picked up previously for running free. Officers visited the owner's home, but were told he was out of town until Monday.

The owner, Kyle McDaniel, 28, of Aylesbury Road, has received four court summons: two for lack of restraint and two for nuisance animal, according to Goose Creek Police spokesman Capt. John Grainger.