A Mount Pleasant woman charged following a dog attack that seriously injured a three-year-old girl has pleaded not guilty in Henry County Court.
According to court documents, 21-year-old Katie Lynn Murdock of Mount Pleasant was cited for having a vicious animal following the May 13 incident in the 600 block of North Broadway.
The citation states two dogs were being introduced to a neighbor’s family when the dogs allegedly attacked the three-year-old female victim, resulting in injuries that required “over 70 stitches” and caused “level II trauma.” The document also notes the City of Mount Pleasant requested both dogs currently in custody at local shelters be euthanized.
As previously reported, Mount Pleasant Police officers responded to the scene around 4:30 p.m. on May 13 and found the child suffering from a head wound. Officers provided first aid until Henry County Ambulance crews arrived. The child was transported to the hospital for treatment.
The child’s parents shared that the girl suffered severe injuries, including exposed areas of her skull, over 70 stitches, and continues to experience emotional trauma following the attack. The child’s parents are also disputing details included in the citation. They say the family had been invited to the end of the drive of the camper where the dogs were staying to get a first aid kit after the dogs allegedly attacked their own dog the night before. According to the parents, the dogs were inside the camper at the time, and the attack happened after the dogs were later let outside.
Newly filed court records show Murdock appeared in court May 19 and entered a plea of not guilty to the vicious animal charge. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for June 5 at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.