Oklahoma woman loses arms and legs in dog attack as medical bills mount
Janelle Scott, 29, was attacked Sept. 9 in Okmulgee by two pit bulls owned by a jailed man; she underwent amputations and remains hospitalized as a GoFundMe seeks to cover rising costs.
An Oklahoma woman lost both arms and legs after a dog attack on Sept. 9 in Okmulgee, authorities said, marking a devastating turn in a case in which two pit bulls owned by a jailed man attacked Janelle Scott during a bike ride with her boyfriend.
The attacking dogs reportedly escaped from confinement in a nearby trailer and were being watched by a friend of Scott's at the time of the assault, according to the Okmulgee Police Department. The boyfriend killed one of the dogs in self-defense, and a second pit bull was in tow, but officers did not find evidence that it participated in the attack. Responding officers found Scott on the scene suffering from significant and severe injuries and she was rushed to the hospital.
Scott's injuries required extensive surgery. Doctors amputated both arms and legs last Friday, after surgeons determined the damage could not be repaired. Scott's mother, Cheryl, said the family initially expected only the right arm would be amputated, and the turn in injuries has been a brutal development. In the days since, her family has provided ongoing updates as her condition has evolved.
Scott's cousin warned that she might need more of her left leg amputated soon. She has been hospitalized for almost a month, with doctors gradually removing tissue and preparing for prosthetics if possible. Cheryl said her daughter remains determined and has told her she believes there is a purpose behind the ordeal.
Next steps include closer assessment of Scott's remaining limbs to determine whether there is enough muscle to support prosthetics, according to doctors.
A GoFundMe page organized by the family to help cover medical bills had raised nearly $19,000 as of Thursday evening.
Police said the two dogs belonged to a man who had been jailed, and they were being watched by a friend of Scott's when the attack occurred. Investigators said the dogs lived in a nearby trailer that had reportedly been broken into earlier that day and may have released the animals.
