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Amateur Operation On Dog Leads To Animal Cruelty Charge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Stewart Gibbs of the West Loop apparently thought he was smart enough to perform surgery on his dog without training – and while apparently drunk – but he ended up getting arrested on an animal cruelty charge.

Police were called to Gibbs' third-floor apartment in the 200 block of North Clinton Street about 10 p.m. Sunday on a well-being check and found the man with blood on his hands, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said.

Gibbs, who "appeared very intoxicated," allowed the officers to enter his apartment, where police found more blood on the walls and floor and the man's black Doberman with a large open wound on its right ear, police alleged.

Gibbs, 44, allegedly told police he tried to perform surgery on the dog to remove a cyst, Mirabelli said. There is no indication Gibbs is a veterinarian or has any sort of training as a medical practitioner, Mirabelli said.

The dog was treated early Monday at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Care center and has been turned over to Chicago Animal Care and Control, police said.

Despite the ordeal, the dog was conscious and "very pleasant" to officers who responded, even allowing them to carry it into the car to transport it to the hospital, police said.

Gibbs was charged with one count of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and is expected to appear in bond court later Monday, Mirabelli said.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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