AIKEN - Arthur Kelly was no stranger to the three dogs that attacked him Sunday along a rural stretch of road in Aiken County.

The two pit bull terriers and mixed-breed boxer lived next door to Mr. Kelly's Batesburg home. The animals belonged to a man who is dating his estranged niece, Mr. Kelly said Tuesday from Medical College of Georgia Hospital.

"Both of them were very sorry that it happened," the 64-year-old said of his niece and her boyfriend.

Mr. Kelly was walking along Thornton Road when the three animals dragged him to the ground, repeatedly biting his arms and left foot after ripping off his shoe.

A deputy with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office found him lying in the road "covered in blood," a report states. The deputy also reported seeing blood on the dogs, which were taken into custody by county animal control officers and later beheaded in order to conduct rabies tests.

The dogs belonged to Michael Shatz, authorities said. He will face criminal charges of not vaccinating the dogs, but authorities have not charged him with harboring a dangerous dog at-large, said Shirley Harden, the director of Aiken County Animal Control.

They likely won't because Mr. Kelly said he wouldn't press charges if it meant Mr. Shatz or his niece would be put in jail.

He did say that he was scared of the pit bull breed and that he hoped animal control officials were closely policing the animals.

"I've had a dog here and there during my lifetime, but I'm against pit bulls because they can be violent," Mr. Kelly said.

Mr. Kelly's brother, Michael, put it more bluntly.

"Nobody should have those dogs," he said. "I think those dogs ought to be outlawed. All they do is chew on people."

In March, three pit bulls attacked Aiken County resident Gwen Chavous, biting her so badly her right arm had to be amputated.

Authorities have a suspect in that case. Ms. Harden said her agency is pursuing leads.

"Things are really still at a standstill," she said. "It's really a sin and a shame. The longer time passes, the harder it will be."

The pit bull breed has faced increased scrutiny since Ms. Chavous' attack. Aiken County Councilman Willar Hightower called for a ban of the breed.

Animal officials and pit bull advocates argue that it's the owners, not the dogs, who are the problem most of the time.

"In most of these cases where we find them, they're not being treated properly," said Ms. Harden, noting that an officer recently brought in a pit bull that weighed 21 pounds and was being kept on a 19-pound chain.

Mr. Kelly said he could be released from the hospital as early as today, though he'll have to return to the hospital repeatedly to clean his wounds before doctors will stitch him up.

He remains unsettled by the attack.

"My concern is whether they'll still be there when I get home," he said.

Staff writer Sandi Martin contributed to this story.

Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 648-1395, ext. 111, or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.