Beloved grandmother, 71, suffers horrific death after being yanked off her bike by notorious pit bull and savagely mauled

A 71-year-old grandmother has been killed by a pit bull which yanked her off her bicycle and mauled her to death.

Karen Nelson, a music teacher from Florence, South Carolina, suffered 'severe injuries from a dog bite' in the city Friday. 

The beast knocked her from her bicycle as she rode home, before causing multiple traumatic injuries including a hole in her neck, officials said.

Locals told ABC15 the pit bull was known for causing chaos in the area. It would often chase people as they were walking, riding golf carts or even driving. 

One man added that he often saw the dog's owner struggling to control the animal while it was on the leash. 

Grandmother Karen Nelson (pictured) has been killed by a pit bull which yanked her off her bicycle and mauled her to death

Florence Police Department said they did not receive any reports or complaints about the dog prior to Nelson's death. 

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Captain Stephen Starling from the department said officers are investigating the incident and determining whether any charges will be filed. 

Police said the owners of the pit bull, who have not been named, have agreed to have it euthanized. 

Starling told ABC15 that officers are working to determine whether the owner was with the dog at the time of the attack, and whether it broke free from its leash. 

'It is the owners responsibility to maintain control of the dog,' he told the outlet. 

'If you have it on a leash and you're doing everything you can. And the dog gets away. Maybe a leash breaks, who knows. 

'Things like that to happen. But, at the end of the day, it's still ultimately your control and your responsibility.' 

Starling told ABC15 that officers are working to determine whether the owner was with the dog at the time of the attack, and whether it broke free from its leash (file photo)

Karen Nelson's son-in-law William Crawford described her as 'a loving mother, grandmother' and 'an incredibly talented and beloved music teacher'

Karen Nelson's close friend, Mary Crouch, remembered her as 'one of the best people I ever knew'

Nelson's close friend, Mary Crouch, remembered her as 'one of the best people I ever knew'. 

'She always made you feel good. She was just a phenomenal person. And it was just a horrible thing that happened,' Crouch told ABC15. 

Nelson's son-in-law William Crawford described her as 'a loving mother, grandmother' and 'an incredibly talented and beloved music teacher'. 

'Karen was incredibly involved in the church here in Florence. With her different groups with pickleball and cycling. Had a huge group of friends,' he added. 

Under South Carolina law, dog owners are liable for any harm caused by their animal in a public place or if the victim is lawfully on their property. 

If found liable, they can face jail time. 

The only exception is if a victim attacked or provoked the dog prior to the incident.