The Columbia Animal Control and Rescue Center has taken possession of some pit bulls after a May 13 attack left three people with injuries and eventually sent the dogs’ owner to jail. Two people were bitten, and a third person was injured either through a dog bite or from trying to escape.
The attack happened in the Church Street Extension and Clearview area. Allegedly, the dogs escaped from under a chain-link link fence. After the first person was injured, police officers were called to the scene. The officers identified the dogs’ owner as former alderwoman Shirleta Ann Pittman, 69, of Columbia. Pittman, who appeared to have been intoxicated at the time, was advised by law enforcement to take the dogs home and lock them inside the house.
Allegedly, Pittman immediately allowed the dogs back out once she got them home, and the dogs escaped a second time. The dogs then went through a door of a neighbor’s house, attacking the neighbor while inside the home. Animal control officer Danielle Barber said when she arrived on scene, she was also attacked.
Pittman was arrested on charges of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct: failure to comply with law enforcement command.
Police Chief Michael Kelly said Animal Control took possession of the animals and will retain possession until a seizure hearing is held. A hearing was scheduled for May 19, but the matter was continued.
All three of the victims were taken to Marion General Hospital for treatment.
The investigation is ongoing.
