A woman was flown to the hospital after a “vicious dog attack” in South Carolina on Monday morning.
According to the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a house in Honea Path about 10:30 a.m. When they arrived, they discovered Kyleen Waltman in critical condition.
According to witnesses, 3 dogs mauled Waltman.
“She was walking home from her boyfriend’s house to her momma’s, and as far as I know, the dogs just jumped on her and you can actually see in the road if you go down there, where she fought the dog, trying to fight them off,” said Tanya Gilmer, Waltman’s best friend.
Emergency personnel also arrived and began providing care. Waltman was flown to a hospital by helicopter. Gilmer stated on Tuesday evening that Waltman is in critical condition but is stable in the intensive care unit.
“They pretty much ripped all the meat from her arms, and she has a hole in the back of her head. She has lost her colon. She’s lost both of her arms. She’s going to have to lose her esophagus, and they did save her legs,” Gilmer said.
“I’m still in shock of it. The pictures of her tore my heart to pieces, but regardless, she’s still the same beautiful Kyleen to me,” said Gilmer, who has been friends with Waltman for three decades. “She’ll always be the same beautiful Kyleen to me.”
According to deputies, the dogs were scared away by an eyewitness. Gilmer stated that the guy was forced to use a firearm to scatter the dogs.
“I’m absolutely grateful for the guy, whoever it was that stopped and helped her,” said Mark Gymer Jr., Waltman’s cousin. “Praise the Lord for him being there.”
According to Gilmer, Waltman, a mother of three and grandmother of one, would likely stay in the hospital for three to four months, accompanied by rehab.
Kyleen’s family has set up an online fundraiser to help with her recovery.
Upstate dog owner charged in ‘vicious’ attack visibly upset during court hearing
Deputies announced the arrest of the owner of three dogs after detectives determined that his canines attacked a woman and left her without both arms.
According to the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office, Justin Minor is facing many charges as a consequence of the incident that hospitalized Kyleen Waltman.
On Thursday, Justin Minor appeared in court, and his bond was set at $15,000. He is charged with owning animals that injure humans, having a dangerous animal unrestrained beyond the premises, and violating the rabies control chapter.
