LANCASTER, SC (WBTV) - A Lancaster man is facing charges after police say he dangled a five-year-old child over an aggressive, chained pit bull.
According to the Lancaster Police Department, the incident happened nearly two weeks ago on January 15th around 6 p.m.
Officers say they were called to Hazel Street in reference to an assault. When they arrived officers were told that 22-year-old Michael Chavis Junior, of Lancaster, assaulted a five-year-old child "by picking that child up and holding them over an aggressive, chained pit bull dog."
Police say the child, along with other children in the neighborhood, had kicked up dirt alongside Chavis' vehicle and cursed at him. That's when Chavis grabbed the child and held them over the dog.
"As far as we know, there is no relationship between Mr. Chavis and the child," Lancaster police said.
The pit bull was able to get a hold of the child's shirt, but the child was not bitten, police told WBTV on Wednesday.
Police say after the investigation was completed, arrest warrants were issued on Chavis for Assault and Battery 3rd Degree. Chavis also has an unrelated outstanding Bench Warrant, according to police, which was previously issued from Lancaster Municipal Court.
Lancaster Police records show that Chavis has been arrested for 23 different crimes, including Wednesday's arrest. His charges vary from traffic violations, disorderly conduct, threatening the life of a public official, instigating a riot, resisting arrest, drug charges, discharging a firearm in the city, assault and battery with intent to kill and multiple assault and battery charges.
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Michael Chavis (Source: WBTV)
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