LEESVILLE (WACH) -- A young Lexington County girl who was attacked by a dog was sent into surgery for her injuries.

The sheriff's department says a pit bull on the loose on Bethlehem Circle near Leesville lunged at the 10 year-old around 11 a.m. Thursday.

The girl was outside a home in the area that had three pit bulls unleashed in the neighborhood.

When deputies arrived they shot the dog that still was aggressively attacking the girl.

Officials say the owner of the dogs, 27-year-old Jennifer Barnes, was not aware the girl was outside her home at the time of the attack.

Barnes was ticketed for violating the county's leash law.

The girl continues to recover at Palmetto Health Richland.  Authorities say her injuries don't appear to be life threatening.

The other two dogs were taken into custody by Lexington County Animal Services.  No aggressive behavior had been reported to officials about the three animals.