PHOENIX (CBS5) -
(KPHO) - A pit bull puppy allegedly abused by his owner is at risk of leg amputation unless money can be raised for specialized surgery, a private animal sanctuary said.
Miles was around 9 weeks old when he arrived at a local animal hospital suffering two severely broken front legs and multiple puncture wounds. A major infection had developed due to the delay in immediate medical care, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.
The dog was in such bad shape, euthanasia was considered to ends the puppy's suffering.
During the course of the examination, the attending doctor and technicians decided to give him a chance and contacted Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary, or PAWS, who took him under their care.
Lyman Kenneth Morkunas was booked into jail Friday on one count of felony animal abuse and released shortly after his initial appearance.
A couple who took care of the injured dog told Maricopa County sheriff's detectives that Morkunas bragged about using a 16-pound sledgehammer to break up a fight between the puppy and an older dog.
The couple who brought the puppy to the hospital said they cannot afford to pay for his treatment and signed him over to the animal hospital.
PAWS has been supplying funds for his care since.
The surgery to save Miles' leg will cost $3,000 to $5,000, PAWS said.
Miles' left arm had multiple compound fractures. Not only were the radius and ulna fractured, but the elbow was in pieces, sticking out of the skin and infected.
With daily bandage changes, the wound has healed and closed over, but the fracture in the elbow requires specialized surgery with a board certified surgeon and will not heal with a splint alone.
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Lyman Morkunas and injured puppy
Injured pit bull puppy
