South Florida man charged with felony animal cruelty for sawing off dog's leg

FLORIDA -- A Belle Glade, Florida man has been charged with sawing off his dog's leg this week with a handsaw alleging he did it because the dog's leg was infected. The dog is now recovering at Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

Authorities were called to the residence of Luc Jean Baptiste, 45 on the 600 block of Southwest Avenue C and seized the ten-year-old Pit bull mix along with seven other adult dogs and four puppies.

According to Diane Sauve, director of the Palm Beach Animal Care and Control, Baptiste duct taped the dog's mouth shut and hog tied her before sawing through her front leg.

The sweet dog has been named Karma with Sauve stating "what goes around comes around." The staff calls what has been done to Karma as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they have ever witnessed.

Karma is also suffering from a severe infection in her uterus; a sign that she had recently been bred. The veterinarian staff plan to operate on her today.

Palm Beach Animal Care and Control plan to repair Karma's leg and place her up for adoption.

(Examiner - April 7, 2012)