Park where dogs attacked joggers set to reopen, SC officials say. Here’s when

The Columbia park that’s been closed for weeks after multiple dog attacks is set to reopen, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Harbison State Forest will be open to the public beginning Tuesday, S.C. Forestry Commission officials said Monday in a news release.

Earlier this month, joggers were attacked by two vicious pit bull-type dogs in separate incidents, The State previously reported.

On July 14, officials announced that Harbison State Forest park had been closed to the public. It has remained blocked off from public access, but two significant factors played a role in S.C. Forestry Commission officials’ decision to reopen the park.

Reasons to reopen

First, one of the dogs involved in at least one of two attacks on July 11 and 12 was killed by a homeowner July 21, according to the release. That dog, an aggressive pit bull, was killed nearly half a mile away from Harbison State Forest in a residential area, officials said.

Second, since that dog’s death there has been another week of patrols, traps and surveillance in the park, none of which has provided any indication of the second dog remaining on state forest property, according to officials.

More than two weeks have passed since either of the dogs in question have been seen on Harbison State Forest, according to the release. Additionally, no other dogs have been seen in the park since July 16, when animal control officers removed a nonaggressive stray dog, officials said.

The Forestry Commission said it will continue to maintain an increased law enforcement presence in the park and will limit the hours of operation to when agency personnel are on site. The front parking lot off Broad River Road, which normally opens at sunrise with paid-permit access, will only be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice, according to the release. All visitors to the forest must leave the property no later than 4:30 p.m.

Harbison State Forest, a 2,137-acre nature preserve with popular jogging, hiking and mountain bike trails, is located miles from downtown Columbia and is bordered on the east by the Broad River and on the west by Broad River Road.

The attacks

On Saturday morning, July 12, veteran South Carolina federal prosecutor Winston Holliday, 57, was ambushed by two pit bull-type dogs who Holliday said hunted him, circled him and kept biting him while he fought them off.

Although Holliday is a runner and fit, the dogs wore him down and might have killed him if a jogger — an off-duty Lexington police officer — hadn’t by chance come upon the scene and frightened the dogs off. Holliday had 17 stitches on his bite wounds and is undergoing rabies shots.

The day before, Friday afternoon, July 11, another jogger was set upon by two pit bull-type dogs matching the descriptions of the ones that attacked Holliday. Connor McNeill, 19, who recently graduated from Irmo High School, managed to jump atop a tree stump and hit and kick the dogs for 30 minutes until his twin sister and aunt drove to Harbison and frightened the dogs off.

McNeill told The State newspaper that his aunt and sister — who located him through Find my iPhone app — arrived just in time because he was getting too tired to keep fighting the dogs. Unlike Holliday, he was not bitten.

Since then, the S.C. Forestry Commission has placed numerous large signs at all entrances and trailheads informing visitors that aggressive dogs have been encountered in the area and instructing them to call the appropriate authorities if they encounter an aggressive dog.

Precautions

Visitors are encouraged to maintain situational awareness, exercise caution and travel in pairs/groups, officials said. Likewise, residents and pedestrians in the many neighborhoods surrounding Harbison State Forest are advised to remain vigilant, especially if traveling on foot or by bike in the area, according to the release.

Anyone who sees what officials called “a dangerous dog” at or near Harbison State Forest, is asked to call 911 immediately and, if possible, City of Columbia Animal Services at 803-776-7387. Any such sightings should also be reported to the Forestry Commission at dwood@scfc.gov or 803-968-1576.

Dog attack prevention/safety tips

• Do not wear earbuds or headphones while walking, running or biking in the forest, as your awareness of external threats will be severely compromised
• If confronted by an aggressive dog, try to remain calm— avoid sudden movements, direct eye contact or facing the dog head-on, as these actions may further aggravate the dog
• Do not run away, as doing so may stimulate the dog’s instinct to chase. Instead, calmly face your body away from the dog and slowly step away while still keeping the dog in your peripheral vision
• Try to create a barrier between yourself and the dog such as a tree or rock. You could also try picking up a large stick to use as an additional barrier
• Consider carrying trekking poles or a walking stick, which can be used as another barrier option
• Carry a dog repellent such as a citronella-based spray; this spray can deter a dog if used correctly. Dog-specific repellent sprays and pepper sprays also may be effective
• Try distracting the dog with food. Scattering food on the ground may keep the dog busy while you try to move away
• Most dog aggression is fear-based. Staying calm and as non-threatening as possible can reduce the likelihood of a dog choosing to aggress

SOURCE: South Carolina Forestry Commission in consultation with Columbia K9 Training & Behavior

Staff reporter John Monk contributed to this story

This story was originally published July 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM with the headline "Park where dogs attacked joggers set to reopen, SC officials say. Here’s when."

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription