WINNSBORO (Jan. 8, 2016) – Three weeks after a young dog suffered horrific injuries consistent with having been dragged behind a vehicle, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office has issued an incident report and announced it is launching an official investigation “to determine if this was an intentional act and, if so, to identify the individual, or individuals, responsible.”
The dog, meanwhile, is making a steady recovery, according to Dr. Robert Knight of Fairfield Animal Hospital where the dog has been treated since it was found on Dec. 13.
As reported in the Dec. 25 issue of The Voice (“Community seeks answers after dog dragging incident”), the dog was discovered in the woods of Carolina Adventure World about 200 feet off Camp Welfare Road near the entrance to the park by four horseback riders who brought him to the animal hospital. A hospital spokesperson told The Voice that the dog’s injuries were only a few hours old when he was brought in.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident two days later on Dec. 15, and Sheriff Will Montgomery told The Voice on Dec. 18 that his office was “looking into the incident,” but he said at that time there was no evidence that a crime had been committed.
In the meantime, the Hoof & Paw Benevolent Society, the veterinarian and a number of citizens in the Fairfield and Blythewood communities, took up the dog’s cause and, with the help of social media, began collecting donations for the dog’s medical care and the surgeries he would need, including surgery by a specialist to repair his kneecap. At press time, those donations topped $4,000, according to the animal hospital’s website.
Hoof & Paw members have also raised more than $1,500 in reward money for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who might be responsible for the dog’s injuries, said member Kathy Faulk,
“The more we can raise,” Faulk said, “the better chance we have of someone coming forward with information.”
And it is continuing to come in, Faulk added.
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s office is helping Hoof & Paw members distribute flyers with information about the reward,
“The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office treats any offenses against animals very seriously,” Montgomery stated in his press release on Tuesday. He also thanked those who brought the dog to the veterinarian as well as the veterinarian who is providing care.
“We are currently working closely with Fairfield County Animal Control and the Hoof and Paw organization and have distributed flyers in the area around Carolina Adventure World,” Montgomery said.
While Susan Knight, spokesperson for the animal hospital, said the dog appears to have been a pet, she said no one has come forward to claim or identify him.
