Woman loses both arms following ‘vicious dog attack’

ABBEVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — A female was airlifted to the medical center pursuing a “vicious pet dog attack” Monday morning in South Carolina.

In accordance to the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 10:30 a.m. to a residence in the city of Honea Path. After there, they observed Kyleen Waltman severely wounded.

Witnesses instructed deputies three puppies attacked Waltman.

“She was strolling house from her boyfriend’s house to her momma’s, and as significantly as I know, the puppies just jumped on her and you can in fact see in the road if you go down there, where by she fought the pet dog, trying to fight them off,” mentioned Tanya Gilmer, Waltman’s most effective close friend.

Emergency responders also arrived and began supplying treatment method. Waltman was airlifted to a hospital.

On Tuesday night, Gilmer stated Waltman is in critical situation, but is stable in the ICU.

“They rather substantially ripped all the meat from her arms, and she has a hole in the again of her head. She has shed her colon. She’s lost the two of her arms. She’s heading to have to get rid of her esophagus, and they did help save her legs,” Gilmer mentioned.

“I’m nevertheless in shock of it. The shots of her tore my heart to parts, but no matter, she’s nonetheless the very same lovely Kyleen to me,” mentioned Gilmer, who has been good friends with Waltman for three many years. “She’ll generally be the identical beautiful Kyleen to me.”

Deputies claimed a witness was equipped to scare the puppies away. Gilmer explained that the male was compelled to fireplace a gun to get the dogs to disperse.

“I’m absolutely grateful for the male, whoever it was that stopped and served her,” claimed Mark Gymer Jr., Waltman’s cousin. “Praise the Lord for him currently being there.”

Gymer claimed he’s “angry” about the attack, and anxieties about the influence it will have on Waltman’s everyday living.

“There’s never any responses to a situation like this. The only issue I can hope is that Kyleen comes out of this and she’s capable to reside a to some degree standard lifetime as she can,” he explained.

Waltman, a mother of 3 and a grandmother to one particular, will likely be in the healthcare facility for a few to 4 months, adopted by rehabilitation, in accordance to Gilmer.

“She’s alive. She’s a fighter. She’s going to battle by way of this. I know her. She’s going to battle through it,” claimed Gilmer, who added that Waltman will require support with her healthcare payments.

She and Gymer also questioned for prayers.

“Just pray for her and my cousins, my aunt. Make any difference simple fact, my entire household actually,” Gymer stated. “If all people would just pray for her and the relaxation of the family. I can only picture the modifications in her daily life that she’s likely to have to go by way of with this full condition,” he reported.

“She’s likely to make it. There is not heading to be an if,” Gymer claimed.

Waltman worked at a cafe — Lou and Perry’s — in Honea Path. Beloved kinds claimed the administration set out a jar to assist obtain dollars for Waltman’s hospital expenses.

Abbeville County Animal Command has taken possession of the pet dogs. There’s no term yet no matter whether or not the owner will facial area fees.

This incident stays below investigation by the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office environment and Abbeville County Animal Management.