SC woman who lost arms after dog attack undergoes more surgical procedures
The Honea Path woman whose arms were amputated after she was attacked by three dogs underwent more surgical procedures this week, her family said.
On their gofundme page, the family said doctors did a tracheotomy on Kyleen Waltman and put a shunt in her left lung to drain fluid.
Waltman was attacked by two pit bulls and a mixed breed on March 21 as she walked on a dirt road from her boyfriend’s house to her mother’s.
Aaron Presley, who lives near the location Waltman was attacked, was able to run the dogs off by firing a handgun. The dogs have since been euthanized.
Waltman has been fighting for life at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital ever since.
Her family has recounted her story on the gofundme page, which had raised $187,000 by Thursday morning for her medical care.
The family has said doctors told them they had never seen such vicious bites from dogs. Much of the muscle and tissue from her arms was gone. She has been off and on a ventilator and learned only this week of the amputation.
On Wednesday, Amy Wynne, Waltman’s sister, said on gofundme, “Kyleen is very thankful for you all. My Mama wants to thank everyone for their prayers and donations.”
She asked people to keep praying.
“One day it’s like yeah she’s getting better and healing real, then it’s like a turn for the worse,” Wynne wrote. “I know our Lord hears us all and I am thankful for that.”
Earlier his week, Wynne said her mother was worried Waltman had given up, but they won’t stop fighting for her.
Waltman, 39, has three children and a newborn grandchild. She worked in a Honea Path restaurant.
Wynne said when her sister learned of the amputation, she became anxious and doctors sedated her.
“Before y’all go assuming, we as her family are not giving up,” Wynne said on gofundme. “The Lord has brought her this far for a reason. Her story is not done.”
The family said in a post last week infection required doctors to take her arms off at the shoulder so she will not be able to be fitted for prosthetics.
Justin Minor, who lives on the road where the attack took place, was arrested and charged with three counts of owning a dangerous animal that attacked and injured a human, rabies control violation and dangerous animal not permitted beyond premises unless restrained. All are misdemeanors.
He was given a bond of $15,000.
The owning of a dangerous animal charge carries a penalty of $5,000 or a sentence of three years in prison.
Magistrate Susan Gladden set an initial appearance in General Sessions Court for Minor for May 6.