At the Ridgeway home, two year old Roxie is like part of the family. The horse is usually the one with the appetite, but a few days ago, something else wanted a bite of her. "I came out to feed her about 8:00," says owner Dave Ridgeway. "I come down the driveway and around the curve and I see her soaking wet and two dogs following right behind her." By the time Ridgeway found his horse, it was too late. A pitbull had already attacked. "I ran in and grabbed a pistol and chased after them," he says. Roxie now has bites all over her body, covering her legs, nose, and side.
Greenville County says the family did the right thing by calling animal control officers. They had 150 calls for animals bites last year alone. "She's in her own yard not bothering anybody," says Leslie Ridgeway. "These dogs come in and hurt her, and that's not fair." The Ridgeway's believe the dog belongs to neighbors. It was taken away, only to be returned a few days later. "Some people just come out and think they can let them go, and it's not the animal's fault."
The family is going to put in an extra light and fencing to protect Roxie, but they wonder if that will keep the dogs away. "I got grandkids," says Dave Ridgeway. "If these dogs did this to a horse, think what they'd do to a child."
Greenville County urges anyone that has a problem with a pitbull or other animal to call Animal Control. That number is (864) 467-7595.
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