Pit bull that bit Bluffton toddler released from quarantine

The pit bull that bit a Bluffton toddler nearly two weeks ago has shown no signs of rabies and was released Tuesday from protective quarantine, said an official with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Nick Davidson, public health preparedness director for DHEC Region 8, which includes Beaufort County, said Daisy, the 2-year-old pit bull, appeared healthy and rabies-free during several visits by state officials during the 10-day quarantine.

The dog was quarantined after attacking 1-year-old T.J. Bishop on April 4 near Brighton Beach. The boy's mother, Crystal Robic, had taken him for a walk in his stroller and decided to walk onto Shawn Gorman's gravel driveway to chat.

At some point, Robic and her son came near the dog, which was on a runner, and it attacked the child.

Gorman said the dog reacted after Robic and her stroller got too close to Daisy's six puppies. Robic said the attack was unprovoked.

Bishop, who turned 2 on Monday, needed six stitches on his lip and neck. The stitches were removed last week.

"He's doing fine and he'll be OK," Robic said Tuesday. " ... He's really afraid of dogs now, but we're working on making that better."

Robic, 26, said she was relieved the dog did not show any signs of rabies, but was angered the dog wouldn't be put down.

"It's still alive and able to attack someone else in the neighborhood," Robic said.

Gorman, 32, the dog's owner, couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday, but had said he did not plan to have the animal euthanized.

"She's a good dog. She didn't mean to hurt anybody," he said last week. "I'm not going to kill my dog when I don't think she did anything wrong but try to protect her babies."

Gorman said last week that this was the second person Daisy has attacked. He said the dog bit a bicyclist last year because she is "afraid of wheels."

Two of Gorman's 10 dogs were quarantined at his home after the toddler was bitten and neither showed signs of rabies, Davidson said.

No charges have been filed in connection with the attack. The dog was restrained on the owner's property and a beware-of-dog sign was posted.

Gorman was cited, however, for not keeping the dog properly vaccinated. He is scheduled to appear in court April 21.

As part of the dog's release, Gorman must show proof that he has updated the dog's rabies vaccinations, Davidson said.

Gorman is expected to have the dog vaccinated today at a rabies clinic, Davidson added.