By Betsy Finklea
Dogs killed a woman in Dillon on Thursday afternoon, The Herald has learned. Law enforcement was called to 1560 West Main Street in reference to a dog attack. The Herald is told unofficially that the dogs were two Rottweilers. The owner of the dogs was injured as well and transported EMS to McLeod Medical Center in Dillon, according to Captain Cliff Arnette of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office. Arnette said that he had no report on the man’s condition as of Friday morning. Arnette said the owner’s name is not being released at this time. Law enforcement appeared to have no choice, but to kill the dogs at the scene as when The Herald arrived they were still displaying aggressive behavior. Coroner Donnie Grimsley identified the woman who was killed as Sirlinda Hayes, age 66, 1560 W. Main Street, Dillon. The Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, the City Police Department, EMS, the Dillon County Coroner’s Office,  the City and County Animal Control Officers, and state constables were on the scene. SLED Crime Scene was also called into assist.  No other information was available at the time of this posting, but will continue to be updated as information becomes available. [slide]

UPDATED VERSION:
By Betsy Finklea
A woman was killed by dogs on Thursday afternoon on West Main Street.
Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley identified the woman as Sirlinda Hayes, age 66, 1560 West Main Street, Dillon.
Law enforcement was called early Thursday afternoon to 1560 West Main Street in reference to a dog attack.
Two Rottweilers attacked the woman in her backyard, according to Captain Cliff Arnette of the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office.
Arnette said it is unclear what the woman was doing in her backyard at the time of the attack. There was a garden in the backyard, and it is believed that the woman had been in that area.
The owner of the dogs was contacted by a family member of the deceased woman about the attack, and at some point and time after that, the owner encountered the dogs and was also injured, Arnette said.
When EMS workers arrived, the dogs were still on the loose.
The owner was transported by Dillon County EMS to McLeod Medical Center in Dillon.
The owner’s condition was not known at press time, and Arnette said the owner’s name is not being released by law enforcement at this time.
It was necessary for law enforcement to shoot the dogs at the scene.
The Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, the City Police Department, EMS, the Dillon County Coroner’s Office, the City and County Animal Control Officers, and state constables were on the scene. SLED Crime Scene was also called into assist.
Arnette said the investigation is ongoing, and the owner has not been charged.
More photos from the scene appear on www.thedillonherald.com.