NY Woman Allegedly Tries To Sever Dog's Head With Sword In 'Most Gruesome' Crime: Police

A 67-year-old woman from Greene County, New York, has been arrested after she allegedly stabbed her dog multiple times and attempted to cut off the animal's head with a sword, police said.

Pauline Waldron, of the Greene County town of Cairo, was charged last Wednesday with one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals, HudsonValley360 reported, citing Capt. Tracey Quinn of the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

The elderly woman allegedly stabbed one of her pets — a female Australian cattle dog named Peaches — multiple times before attempting to decapitate the animal, a report by WHEC said. Following the alleged attack, Waldron left Peaches to die for eight hours without seeking any medical care, according to Quinn.

Peaches was taken to Catskill Animal Hospital in the village of Catskill and underwent emergency, life-saving surgery. She is now at an undisclosed veterinary clinic in the Albany area, according to Columbia-Greene Humane Society (CGHS) president and CEO Ron Perez.

"I can't imagine how someone can do this to another living creature, let alone her pet," Perez, whose non-profit organization provides animal care services, was quoted as saying.

He described photos of the injured dog as "the most gruesome I have ever seen."

The dog lost a lot of blood but was doing as well as could be expected considering the severity of her injuries, Perez explained.

Authorities did not disclose how the dog was found and brought to Catskill Animal Hospital.

The Green County Sheriff's Office had been notified of the animal cruelty case Wednesday when they were called by the hospital. The sheriff's office's criminal investigation unit then arrested Waldron following an investigation, according to Quinn.

Waldon was arraigned in Cairo Town Court before Justice Tanja Sirago and was released on her own recognizance, pending a future court appearance, Quinn said.

"I have every confidence that the Greene County District Attorney will prosecute this woman to the full extent of the law," Perez said.

Five other dogs that were located in Waldron's home were seized and brought to CGHS, according to the police captain.

Two more Australian Cattle Dogs and three Jack Russell Terriers were examined at the shelter and appeared to be in good health, Perez said.