North Carolina deputy forced to act during encounter with aggressive dog, officials say
FOR NEWS TO GO. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH OUR ISABELLE MARAK IS FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS IN POLK COUNTY. SHE’S JOINING US LIVE WITH THE LATEST ISABELLE. HEY, AARON AND DESTINY, I’M AT THE POLK COUNTY EMERGENCY SHELTER, WHICH OPENED UP LAST NIGHT FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAD TO EVACUATE. NOW, THE LATEST UPDATE CAME THROUGH AT 10 P.M. LAST NIGHT. THERE ARE THREE ACTIVE WILDFIRES. OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE BLACK COVE FIRE SPANS MORE THAN 400 ACRES, AND RIGHT NOW, NO STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. WHILE THE DEEP WOODS FIRE, THE SECOND FIRE IS OVER 200 ACRES. OFFICIALS SAY ONE STRUCTURE AND TWO OUTBUILDINGS HAVE BEEN LOST AND ANOTHER STRUCTURE DAMAGED. THAT THIRD AND FINAL FIRE, THE FISHHOOK FIRE, ALSO CONTINUES TO BURN. IT SCORCHED MORE THAN 100 ACRES, AND SIX STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN LOST. THIS FIRE WAS STARTED BY A DOWNED POWER LINE ON GREEN RIVER COVE ROAD. NONE OF THESE WILDFIRES ARE CONTAINED. OFFICIALS SAY DEBRIS FROM HURRICANE HELENE IS MAKING THE JOB EVEN HARDER, CREATING ROADBLOCKS AND MORE FUEL FOR THE FIRE. NORTH CAROLINA WILL GO UNDER A STATEWIDE BURN AT EIGHT THIS MORNING. IT REMAINS UNCLEAR HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET ALL OF THESE FIRES CONTAINED. IN POLK COUNTY, ISABELLE MARAK WYFF NEWS FOUR ISABELLE. THANK YOU. NOW TO BREAKING NEWS IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. THE CORONER’S OFFICE IS RESPONDING TO AN INCIDENT ON HAMMOND BRIDGE ROAD, ALONG WITH GREER POLICE AND THE BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS NEAR UBER ROAD AND THE BE SAFE STORAGE UNITS IN RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL. SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION TODAY BECAUSE OF SPRING BREAK. OUR CREWS TELL US PART OF HAMMETT BRIDGE ROAD IS BLOCKED OFF. STAY WITH WYFF NEWS FOUR AS WE LEARN MORE. ELON MUSK IS SCHEDULED TO PAY A VISIT TO THE PENTAGON TODAY. ACCORDING TO THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT. THE TECH BILLIONAIRE RECEIVED AN INVITATION FROM SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH. MUSK WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE U.S. MILITARY’S TOP SECRET PLAN FOR ANY WAR THAT MIGHT BREAK OUT WITH CHINA. THE VISIT COMES AS THE PENTAGON, ENCOURAGED BY MUSK’S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, CONSIDERS MAJOR CUTS TO THE TOP OF THE MILITARY IN AN EFFORT TO EMBRACE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PUSH TO SHRINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WELL, THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE TO OVERSEE FEDERAL PELL GRANTS AND STUDENT LOANS. WE’RE TOLD THE DEPARTMENT HAS STRUGGLED TO FIND A PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE AGENCY TO MANAGE ITS MASSIVE STUDENT LOAN PORTFOLIO, WHICH TOTALS $1.8 TRILLION IN DEBT. WE’RE TOLD AN ESTIMATED 40% OF LOANS ARE PAST DUE. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAD PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED THE PORTFOLIO WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OR SBA, BUT THAT HASN’T HAPPENED. THE PRESIDENT SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER YESTERDAY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SHIFT CONTROL TO THE STATES. A NEW POLL FROM ELON UNIVERSITY SAYS THAT RIVALRIES ASIDE, US NORTH CAROLINIANS STICK TOGETHER IN MARCH MADNESS. RIVALRIES BETWEEN NORTH CAROLINA’S ACC BASKETBALL TEAMS ARE LEGENDARY IN THE SPORTS WORLD, BUT THE POLL FINDS THAT IF ONE’S FAVORITE NORTH CAROLINA TEAM IS ELIMINATED IN TOURNAMENT ROUNDS, NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE 7 TO 1 AND CHEERING FOR REMAINING NC TEAMS WHEN THEIR OWN FAVORITE TEAM IS ELIMINATED, 36% CHEER FOR THEIR IN-STATE RIVALS, AND ONLY 5% ROOT AGAINST THEM. 21% SAY THEY DON’T CARE AND 38% REPORT NOT HAVING A FAVORITE TEAM. I DON’T THINK THAT’S THE SAME IN SOUTH CAROLINA. I WORE ORANGE IN SUPPORT OF CLEMSON, AND I GOT SOME COMMENTS FROM MY USC FANS SAYING, DON’T DO THAT. ALL RIGHT, WELL, SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IS LOOKING TO HOLD ON TO ITS NATIONAL TITLE AFTER WINNING THE SEC TOURNAMENT IN GREENVILLE, THE GAMECOCKS WERE AWARDED A NUMBER ONE SEED. THEY TAKE ON TENNESSEE TECH IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NCAA TOURNAMENT AT THE COLONIAL LIFE ARENA THIS AFTERNOON AT FOUR. A TEAM SENDOFF IS HAPPENING IN COLUMBIA AT 145. HEY, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. HAPPY FRIDAY. 648. IT IS. WE’VE GOT SOME VERY STRONG WIND GUSTS RIGHT NOW. 51MPH. THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF COMING AND GOING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF HOURS IN THESE AREAS. IT IS MAKING IT FEEL EVEN COLDER. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR ALL THE WILDFIRES THAT ARE BEING FOUGHT ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. HEY, IT’S COLD OUT THERE. IN FACT, WE ARE FREEZING IN PICKENS AND FREEZING RIGHT NOW IN FRANKLIN. HOW ABOUT 34 IN ASHEVILLE? BUT YOU FACTOR IN THOSE WIND GUSTS. IT FEELS LIKE 21 DEGREES IN ASHEVILLE RIGHT NOW AND 31 IN RUTHERFORDTON. BY THE WAY, IF YOU STEP OUTSIDE AND YOU THINK, WHOA, IT IS COLDER THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY MORNING, YOU ARE RIGHT. 22 DEGREES COLDER IN ABBEVILLE, FOR INSTANCE, THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY. AT THIS TIME WE’LL WARM UP, BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE. YOU PROBABLY WON’T WANT TO HAVE LUNCH OUTSIDE TODAY. STILL GOING TO BE BRISK, BUT WE’LL GET THERE. WE’LL KICK OFF A WARMING TREND. REALLY TOMORROW. UPPER 50S THOSE WINDY CONDITIONS THIS MORNING BECOMING BREEZY. SO THOSE WINDS DYING DOWN THIS AFTERNOON BUT STILL ON THE COLD SIDE. COMING UP WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FOUR-DAY PLUS WHICH HAS THE REST OF YOUR WEEKEND AND A WARMING TREND. THE LATEST ON THAT IN JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM RIGHT NOW. BUT FIRST, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. HOW’S TRAFFIC LOOKING, VICTORIA PARELLA, WE DO HAVE THAT INCIDENT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT MOMENTS AGO. WE’LL GET TO THAT IN JUST A SECOND. THIS IS 85. IF YOU ARE HEADING SOUTHBOUND. LOOKS LIKE TRAFFIC NEAR HIGHWAY 101 IS MOVING SMOOTHLY. NO MAJOR BACKUPS. BUT AGAIN, WE JUST TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT INCIDENT. THIS IS NEAR HAMMETT BRIDGE ROAD AND UBER ROAD THAT IS CLOSED FOR THE MOMENT. WE’LL HAVE AN UPDATE ON YOUR TRAVEL TIMES COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. WHEN JERSEY BOYS DEBUTED ON BROADWAY, IT WON THE TONY AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL. THE SONGS AND STORIES OF FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS COME TO LIFE ON STAGE, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MAX QUINLAN SAYS IT’S A JOY TO BRING IT TO THE GREENVILLE THEATER FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT’S ONE OF THOSE SHOWS THAT BRINGS UP A LOT OF MEMORIES FOR PEOPLE, BECAUSE THIS MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS, THESE ARE SONGS THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GREW UP ON. THESE ARE SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN THE SOUNDTRACK TO MOMENTS IN FOLKS LIVES RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE STILL SEATS AVAILABLE FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT’S PERFORMANCES, AND FOR THE SUNDAY MATINEE, THE PHONE NUMBER AND WEBSITE AND TICKETS ARE ON YOUR SCREEN. YOU CAN ALSO VISIT WYFF4.COM. BILTMORE WILL BE UNVEILING A NEW EXHIBIT TODAY. PEOPLE CAN EXPLORE TUTANKHAMUN, HIS TOMB AND HIS TREASURES AT THE AMHERST AT DEER PARK EXHIBITION CENTER. IT OFFERS AN EXPLORATION INTO ANCIENT EGYPT IN THE TIME OF TUTANKHAMUN, FEATURING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE DISCOVERY OF KING TUT’S TOMB. THIS SPRING WILL ALSO MARK THE COMPLETION OF RENOVATIONS AT THE BILTMORE ESTATE. THAT EXHIBIT WILL BE OPEN UNTIL EARLY NEXT YEAR. I JUST LOVE TO HEAR YOU SAY TUTANKHAMUN. OH, MAN. IT’S HARD. KING TUT’S WHERE IT’S AT. YEAH, KING TUT’S WHERE IT’S AT. THE START OF SPRING MEANS WARM WEATHER, TIME OUTDOORS AND THE RETURN OF SPORTS LIKE SOCCER AND BASEBALL. HERE’S STEPHANIE TROTTER WITH WAYS YOU CAN ENJOY THEM ALL IN THIS WEEK’S NEW FOR YOU, RIGHT AS SPRING HITS. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF NEW ROOFTOP DESTINATIONS. LET’S START WITH CABANAS, LATIN CANTINA. IT OPENED AT BRIDGEWAY STATION IN SIMPSONVILLE THIS PAST WEEK, BRINGING THE CUISINE OF COSTA RICA, BRAZIL, SPAIN, AMONG OTHER COUNTRIES. CABANAS HAS A DAIQUIRI BAR AND PLENTY OF OUTDOOR SEATING. YOU CAN LOOK FOR LIVE MUSIC EACH WEEK. AND IF YOU’RE SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT SPOT FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT, THERE’S A NEW PLACE IN PICKENS TO CONSIDER. SOUTHERN VAULT EVENT VENUE IS NOW OPEN FOR PARTIES. EVERYTHING FROM REHEARSAL DINNERS AND WEDDINGS TO CORPORATE GATHERINGS AND GRADUATION GET TOGETHERS. THE SPACE INCLUDES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING, ALONG WITH ROOFTOP SPACE. SOUTHERN VAULT WORKS WITH AREA CATERERS, BUT ALSO HAS A CATERER IN-HOUSE TO SECURE THE BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGES CAPACITY. TAPS OUT AT 99 PEOPLE. WELL, LAST WEEK WE BROUGHT YOU NEW APPAREL FOR THE GREENVILLE DRIVE, AND NOW IT’S GREENVILLE TRIUMPH’S TURN. THE NEW SEASON JUST STARTED, AND PLAYER KITS INCLUDE SOME GREAT LOOKING JERSEYS SHOWCASING NEW SPONSORS. YOU CAN LOOK FOR NEW HOME AND AWAY JERSEYS ON THE PITCH AND IN THE TEAM’S STORE. TH
North Carolina deputy forced to act during encounter with aggressive dog, officials say
Updated: 9:53 AM EDT Mar 21, 2025
A deputy in Rutherford County, North Carolina, was forced to make a difficult decision during an encounter with an aggressive dog, according to authorities.On Monday, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded after reports came in of two aggressive dogs chasing people in the area of Middle Street in Ellenboro, North Carolina.More News: Local woman charged after what detectives find in her shed, homeUpon arrival, the deputy observed two dogs running loose on someone’s property. At first, the dogs charged in the direction of the deputy several times in an aggressive manner, but the deputy was able to keep a safe distance.After learning who the owner of the dogs was, the deputy attempted to make contact with the owner. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. The deputy contacted animal control for assistance, but was told the shelter was full and they could not take any more animals.More News: Elementary school substitute teacher arrested after display of unusual behaviorAccording to law enforcement, the deputy spent approximately 90 minutes in the area attempting to find the owner and safely gain control of the dogs. While the deputy began making his way to his patrol car, one of the dogs charged at the deputy in an aggressive manner.The deputy, while still in the roadway, illuminated the dog with his flashlight and began yelling at it. The dog continued to advance toward the deputy in an aggressive manner which resulted in the deputy being forced to use his weapon on the animal.After shooting the dog, the deputy again attempted to contact animal control to have them respond and recover the now dead dog, but was advised again that the shelter was full.More News: Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle near Upstate high school, police sayThe deputies were then able to successfully capture the other dog and place it back into the enclosure and secure the enclosure that the dogs had escaped from.”This was an unfortunate incident in which a dog lost its life,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. “The Sheriff’s Office, nor anyone involved, wanted this outcome but unfortunately due to the dog’s action the deputy had to act.” Law enforcement said no one, other than the dog, was injured during the situation.Through investigation, the deputy was eventually able to contact the owner of the dogs, who was out of town and could not respond to the area.More News: Firefighters battle three uncontained wildfires, evacuations in effectDue to animal control advising they would not respond and could not accept the dog, the owner of the dogs arranged to have the dead dog buried.
A deputy in Rutherford County, North Carolina, was forced to make a difficult decision during an encounter with an aggressive dog, according to authorities.
On Monday, deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded after reports came in of two aggressive dogs chasing people in the area of Middle Street in Ellenboro, North Carolina.
More News: Local woman charged after what detectives find in her shed, home
Upon arrival, the deputy observed two dogs running loose on someone’s property. At first, the dogs charged in the direction of the deputy several times in an aggressive manner, but the deputy was able to keep a safe distance.
After learning who the owner of the dogs was, the deputy attempted to make contact with the owner. However, these attempts were unsuccessful.
The deputy contacted animal control for assistance, but was told the shelter was full and they could not take any more animals.
More News: Elementary school substitute teacher arrested after display of unusual behavior
According to law enforcement, the deputy spent approximately 90 minutes in the area attempting to find the owner and safely gain control of the dogs.
While the deputy began making his way to his patrol car, one of the dogs charged at the deputy in an aggressive manner.
The deputy, while still in the roadway, illuminated the dog with his flashlight and began yelling at it. The dog continued to advance toward the deputy in an aggressive manner which resulted in the deputy being forced to use his weapon on the animal.
After shooting the dog, the deputy again attempted to contact animal control to have them respond and recover the now dead dog, but was advised again that the shelter was full.
More News: Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicle near Upstate high school, police say
The deputies were then able to successfully capture the other dog and place it back into the enclosure and secure the enclosure that the dogs had escaped from.
“This was an unfortunate incident in which a dog lost its life,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said. “The Sheriff’s Office, nor anyone involved, wanted this outcome but unfortunately due to the dog’s action the deputy had to act.”
Law enforcement said no one, other than the dog, was injured during the situation.
Through investigation, the deputy was eventually able to contact the owner of the dogs, who was out of town and could not respond to the area.
More News: Firefighters battle three uncontained wildfires, evacuations in effect
Due to animal control advising they would not respond and could not accept the dog, the owner of the dogs arranged to have the dead dog buried.
