GREENSBURG, Pa. -- A Westmoreland County woman is accused of seriously injuring a cat by attempting to declaw it in exchange for payment.

Loria Baur, 45, allegedly performed the botched operation on Nov. 15 for the pet's owner, who lives in Greensburg.

Police say Baur claimed to have veterinary experience before the pet owner agreed to pay her $50 for the declawing.

After the cat's paws became infected, the owner took it to Grace Veterinary Hospital in Mount Pleasant for surgery.

Dr. John O'Laughlin, who is caring for the animal, said it may end up losing part of a paw.

"This surgery is going to have to be redone because there were bits of bone left in the good foot," O'Laughlin said. "The rotted foot, she has only two toes left."

Investigators say Baur used to work at a veterinary hospital but is not a licensed veterinarian in Pennsylvania.

Baur, of Lowber, is charged with cruelty to animals.