Police arrest owners of dog that mauled Florence woman to death

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — The owners of a dog that attacked and killed a 71-year-old Florence woman last week have been arrested, police said on Wednesday.

Justin Conroy and Ashley Maclean were charged with owning a dangerous animal. They were booked into the Florence County Detention Center and a bond hearing is set for later on Wednesday.

Karen Nelson was riding her bicycle near Brigadoone Lane and Waccamaw Drive when authorities said the pit bull broke loose, knocked her off the bicycle and mauled her to death. She was bitten multiple times and died at the hospital.

The dog was euthanized on S aturday, according to police. An arrest warrant shows Conroy and Maclean “did know or should have known the dog has a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack unprovoked, cause injury, or otherwise endangers the safety of human beings or domestic animals.”

The dog broke free from its leash, puncturing Nelson’s neck, the warrant said.

No additional information was immediately available.

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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here .

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