8-year-old Justice Ladson and his best buddy, 5-year-old Jamie Floyd, spent much of Friday relaxing under a tree on Nelson Drive in Dillon County.
It was down that road that Justice's German Shepherd, named Cane, attacked Floyd this week.
"He just started biting me," said Floyd.
"I said Cane stop, and he just kept on biting him, and he had let him go one time, but then he started back," said Ladson.
The boys were feeding the dog when it lunged at Floyd. They aren't sure what provoked the attack.
"I thought Cane wouldn't do anything like that in my life before," said Ladson.
But Ladson knew he had to do something. He said, "I grabbed the shovel and had hit him (the dog) on the side, and that's when he had let go of him."
The boys ran inside to tell Ladson's grandmother, Cathy McInnis, what happened.
"He was hollering when he run in there and I seen all the blood," said McInnis.
She got some cloth and wet it.
McInnis said, "I wrapped his head and told him to keep the pressure in it, so it won't bleed anymore."
McInnis knew she had to act fast and couldn't afford to waste anymore time. She drove Floyd to McLeod Health in the city limits of Dillon, where he was treated for six bites to his head and arms at the emergency department.
Floyd's sister, Crystal Floyd, is thankful he's okay.
"Still again, thank God it wasn't life threatening. He made it. He was a tough little boy," said Floyd.
Thanks to his Justice Ladson, whose mother calls a real hero.
"I am elated about my son's quick thinking, thinking on his feet. It's just amazing," said Krystle Ladson.
We're told the dog ran away and hasn't been seen since.
The Dillon County Animal Shelter is looking for the dog to quarantine it for examination.
