WALLACE — Last week, a man was injured in the Wallace community when investigators say eight dogs viciously attacked him.
Following the attack, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office [MCSO] announced the arrest of Wallace resident Sammy Bethea of Old Wire Road. Facing 32 charges total in relation to the incident, Bethea is accused of committing eight counts of owning dangerous animals that attack and injure a human being, eight counts of permitting domestic animals to run at large, eight counts of ill treatment of animals, and eight counts of failure to provide rabies vaccination.
According to officials, Bethea admitted to deputies that the eight dogs involved in the incident lived at his home on Old Wire Road. Working together, MCSO deputies and Marlboro County Animal Control were able to round up six of the eight canines. Despite searching a nearby wooded area, the last two dogs involved in the incident remain at large.
Authorities say Bethea was taken into custody in the area of Bennettsville and transported to the Marlboro County Detention Center, where he is awaiting a hearing before a judge in relation to this case.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim and his children, who experienced this traumatic attack,” Sheriff Larry McNeil said, adding, “I want to thank our deputies and Marlboro County Animal Control for their professionalism, dedication, and teamwork throughout this investigation.”