Woman loses both arms, legs after being attacked by a dog
OKMULGEE, Okla. — A 31-year-old Okmulgee woman has lost both arms and both legs after being mauled by a pit bull earlier this month, her family said.
Police say the dog’s owner was in jail at the time of the attack, and a friend had been caring for the animals. During the incident, one of the dogs also attacked the victim’s boyfriend, who killed it in self-defense. Investigators say there is no evidence the second dog was involved, though the case remains under review.
The victim, Janelle Scott, initially kept her limbs for nearly two weeks after the September 9 attack. But her injuries worsened, and by last Friday doctors amputated both her arms and legs.
Her mother, Cheryl Scott, described the ordeal as “a nightmare” but said Janelle remains determined. “Every day that she has to go into surgery, it’s been hard,” Cheryl told FOX23. “When she lost all of her limbs, I thought, ‘OK, now her body’s going to be able to heal and she’s going to get through this.’”
Cheryl said Janelle had been walking to visit a friend who lives in a wooded area when the dogs attacked. She had known the dogs previously and did not expect any danger. After the attack, Janelle told her mother she realized immediately she would lose at least her right arm.
Now, despite the devastating outcome, her family says she is staying positive. “I know she can do it because we’re strong women,” Cheryl said. “She has a purpose. Our creator wouldn’t do this unless there was a plan.”
Janelle is scheduled for another surgery on Wednesday as doctors evaluate whether she will have enough muscle left in her arms for prosthetics.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help cover Janelle’s medical expenses and to support her mother, who has taken time off work to remain by her side.
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