3-year-old airlifted to Charlotte hospital after dog attack, SC sheriff says

A 3-year-old was rushed to a Charlotte trauma center after being bitten repeatedly during a dog attack, according to officials in upstate South Carolina.

It happened Tuesday near Pageland, S.C., about a 45-mile drive southeast from uptown Charlotte, and investigators say the dog also tried to bite responding deputies.

“Evidence of the attack, including significant blood loss near the residence, was located at the scene,” the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 11 news release.

“The child sustained 12 lacerations to the head, face, stomach, and arm as a result of the incident.”

The pet was described as an extra large male “Bully/Old English Bulldog mix” owned by Richard Bragg, 59, who lives in the neighborhood where the attack happened, officials said.

“Deputies learned that the dog had previously been involved in a separate attack approximately two years ago. In that case, Bragg was charged and convicted, and a judge ordered that the animal must be securely contained by fencing or tethered to prevent further incidents,” the sheriff’s office said.

“During this incident, deputies found that the dog was not properly contained. After speaking with witnesses and the child’s father, deputies arrested Bragg.”

He was charged with “permitting a dangerous/vicious animal to run at large – second offense,” officials said.

The dog was confiscated by Chesterfield County’s Animal Control Division, and it “made multiple attempts to charge and bite the deputy handling the animal,” officials said. It is being held “pending a court-ordered seizure hearing.”

Investigators say the child was admitted to the hospital for “pain management and observation,” but the injuries are not considered life-threatening. A full recovery is expected, officials said.

This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 5:51 AM.