Escape artist dog sought after biting Newberry child

NEWBERRY, SC (WIS) - A white pit bull who has the knack for escaping fences is being sought after the dog allegedly bit the face of a 3-year-old in Newberry.

A little girl and her mother were visiting a friend at a home near Silverstreet when a dog, owned by a woman who is a family friend, attacked the little girl, biting her face.

Newberry sheriff's deputies were sent to the Newberry hospital to investigate. The mother didn't want to press charges, saying the dog belonged to a family friend.

That friend later turned in the dog to authorities after the incident. However, he escaped overnight, according to Mike Pisano from the Newberry Animal Care and Control Center.

"We're actively seeking the dog," said Pisano. "We're checking former addresses where the dog has lived. We have traps set in the area."

In any case, he says anyone who comes in contact with the animal should stay away.

Officials believe the dog to have been up-to-date on his rabies shots, however, the child will have to get rabies shots if the dog is not found.

If you do find the dog, call Newberry County Animal Control at 803-321-2222.