‘Most Horrific Act’: Dog's Leg Amputated With Garden Shears

DETROIT, MI — The Michigan Humane Society has found itself caring for a dog who had its leg cut off during an in-home procedure. They believe gardening shears and a kitchen knife were used to cut off the adult male black Labrador Retriever's back right leg, according to information released by the organization on Thursday.

They say the amputation it was done Wednesday in Hamtramck, near the area of Holbrook Avenue and Conant Street. The Michigan Humane Society is now working with local law enforcement to bring felony animal abuse charges against the owner responsible for the hack job.

A spokesman for the Michigan Humane Society said they can’t release many details due to the ongoing investigation, but that the tools used were recovered as evidence. He also said it was the “most horrific act” that CEO Matthew Pepper had seen in his 20 years in animal welfare.

WDIV identified the owner of the dog, who is called Blacky, as Charles Wofford. Wofford reportedly said he couldn’t afford to pay for surgery, so he took matters into his own hands by cutting off the part of the leg that was affected.

“He had got into a fight, and he got gangrene inside his leg,” Wofford told WDIV. “I was able to do it, I had a clean steak knife. I actually cut it on the bone. He wasn’t in any pain at all."

Veterinarians and the shelter medical team are currently treating the dog in Detroit. He will likely undergo risky surgeries to recover and veterinarians are considering a full amputation on the rest of his leg, up to the hip, according to the Humane Society. A judge will help later decide if the dog goes up for adoption, the spokesman said.

Photos courtesy Michigan Humane Society

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