An 80-year old double amputee was killed after being mauled by four dogs as he sat in his wheelchair, authorities in South Carolina say.
Carlton Freeman was in his motorized wheelchair on May 8 when the dogs, who belonged to a neighbor woman, attacked. Three of the animals have been captured, but one remains on the loose.
Freeman suffered several lacerations all over his body and was unable to properly fight the dogs off due to his condition. Both legs were amputated several years ago below the knee as the result of diabetic complications.
“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 Nesbit said in a statement. “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.”
The woman who owned the dogs, Barbara Goodwin, is also related to Freeman. She admitted to authorities that she owned the dogs, which were reportedly a mother and her pups.
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