A woman has had her limbs surgically removed after a shocking attack by two pitbulls while she was out riding her bicycle.
According to reports, the horrifying incident occurred in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, with it said that she faces the possibility of further surgeries and is currently fighting for her life.
Janelle Scott’s family are now asking for prayers and support, with her mother admitting that she’s been crying where her daughter can’t see her.
“I have to encourage her, and then I have to take a break outside and do my crying. I try not to cry in front of her, I don’t want her to see me like this,” Cheryl Scott said.
As per KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Scott’s encounter with the aggressive pitbulls unfolded on September 9 at around 11pm.
Scott and her boyfriend were riding their bikes to a friend’s house when said friend’s pitbulls escaped and immediately went on the attack. Scott’s boyfriend was too far away to help initially, but was able to kill one of the dogs when it attacked him.
The authorities have said that the attack took place close by a homeless camp, where Scott’s friend lives in a trailer.
“Where the friend lives, you have to go through a wooded area to get up there. I guess he lives in a camper or something. So she was going up that way when the dogs came out and attacked her, and she knew the dogs and they knew her,” mom Cheryl said, according to KOKI-TV.
Reports claim that the friend’s trailer had been broken into earlier that evening, which is perhaps how the dogs were able to escape.
Police were quick to respond to the scene, but by the time they had arrived, Scott had suffered “significant and severe injuries.”
“After seeing her arm after the attack, she knew she was going to lose her right arm because she said when she looked down, she could see the bone, and it was just barely hanging on by tendons and stuff, so she knew she was going to lose that,” Cheryl explained.
Scott was quickly airlifted to Tulsa St. Frances Hospital.
Surgeons started by removing her right arm and leg. Tragically, however, they were left with no choice but to amputate her left arm and leg too.
“That was hard for her because she was left-handed, so she thought she’s gonna get to keep her left arm,” Cheryl said. Scott has been scheduled for further surgery to remove what’s left of her legs, but Cheryl is praying she’ll have enough remaining muscle to facilitate the use of prosthetics.
On a GoFundMe page established for her daughter, Cheryl wrote: “I pray that her body has the Strength for more Surgery. So could you all PLEASE keep her in your prayers I’m a true believer in how powerful prayers are. Thank you!”
Scott’s friend, the owner of the dogs, was reportedly in jail at the time of the attack. The individual left to look after the pitbulls, meanwhile, was issued a ticket following the incident.
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Janelle Scott!
