Girl, nine, suffers horrific injuries after being mauled by three dogs that escaped from animal shelter

  • WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT 
  • A nine-year-old girl got off her bike to pick up some rocks in Wanette, Oklahoma, Tuesday when she was attacked by three dogs
  • The animals escaped from nearby Forgotten Treasures Animal Rescue
  • Child suffered bite marks and lacerations all over her body, and she could have lasting nerve damage 
  • Shelter said all three dogs - two foster animals and a volunteer's pet - are now in quarantine and will be euthanized  

A nine-year-old girl riding a bicycle near her home in rural Oklahoma was savagely mauled by three dogs that had escaped from a nearby animal shelter.

The child, who has not been named, suffered severe injuries in Tuesday night's attack.

All three dogs - two foster animals and one personal pet - will be put down after emerging from a state-mandated quarantine. 

Scroll down for video 

A nine-year-old girl from Wanette, Oklahoma, suffered gruesome injuries when she was attacked by three dogs near her home on Tuesday

A nine-year-old girl from Wanette, Oklahoma, suffered gruesome injuries when she was attacked by three dogs near her home on Tuesday 

The child required dozens of stitches and could have last nerve damage as a result of the mauling that left her covered in blood

The child required dozens of stitches and could have last nerve damage as a result of the mauling that left her covered in blood 

Pottawatomie County Sheriff Mike Booth told the station KFOR that when deputies responded to the scene in Wanette, they found the young victim being cradled in her mother's arms, covered with a blanket. 

When the deputies lifted the blanket, they discovered bites marks and cuts up and down the girl’s body.

Photos taken at the time documenting the aftermath of the mauling show the girl's legs and arms covered in blood, with chunks of flesh missing.

‘Just from the injuries, you know the pain that she’s in and the pain that the family’s in,’ Booth said.

The child told officials she was riding her bicycle and stopped to collect some rocks. Suddenly, the three dogs came running from Forgotten Treasures Animal Rescue and proceeded to tear at her.

The dogs had escaped from a pen at the Forgotten Treasures Animal Rescue (pictured)

The dogs had escaped from a pen at the Forgotten Treasures Animal Rescue (pictured) 

The victim was taken to a hospital to receive dozens of stitches. Investigators say she could have lasting nerve damage.

The sheriff said the owners of the shelter, which had only recently opened in Wanette, have been cooperative and provided deputies with records showing that all three dogs had rabies shots. 

The shelter on Friday released a statement on its Facebook page, revealing that two of the canines involved in the attack were foster dogS, and the third was a volunteer's personal pet.

'We at Forgotten Treasures are devastated that this happened. None of the dogs involved have ever shown signs of aggression, and the dogs broke out of their pen when no one was home,' the post read. 

All three animals - two foster dogs an a volunteer's pet - will be euthanized after completing mandatory quarantine (not pictured)

All three animals - two foster dogs an a volunteer's pet - will be euthanized after completing mandatory quarantine (not pictured) 

The statement went on to say that all three dogs will be 'humanely euthanized' after completing mandatory quarantine.

'Our prayers are with this child and her family. While we understand the outrage you are feeling, please refrain from placing blame,' the status update stated. 'To our knowledge, this child did nothing to provoke this attack. The rescue could not have reasonably foreseen the animals would escape or attack. It is a horrific tragedy. Please pray for all involved. 

The sheriff intends to file charges in connection to the attack with the district attorney, who will decide whether to prosecute the case.