Double Amputee Killed by Pit Bulls in South Carolina

Carlton Freeman

Carlton Freeman

An 80-year-old double amputee, Carlton Freeman, died on Sunday after a pack of pit bulls mauled him while he was driving in his motorized wheelchair in Harleyville, South Carolina last week, authorities said on Tuesday.

Freeman, who lost both of his legs several years ago to diabetes, told authorities that he was pulled from his wheelchair when the pack of dogs attacked him on May 8. The man died four days later of his injuries.

“Upon my examination of Mr. Freeman, it is a wonder that this gentleman was able to hang on as long as he did,” Coroner Chris Nisbet said in a press release. “He had bites and lacerations from his legs to the top of his head. This is very sad story, but even worse that Mr. Freeman was basically helpless to the attack, due to being a bi-lateral amputee.”

Maj. John Garrison, a spokesman for the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department, said that three of the dogs were captured and taken to an animal shelter while a fourth remains on the loose. Authorities contacted 61-year-old Barbara Goodwin who owns the three dogs, a mother and two puppies, but said she did not own the fourth. According to a report, the dogs all had blood in their fur. Neighbors say the dogs have been “roaming around the neighborhood for months.”

No arrests have been made.