RAYTOWN, Mo. -- Two dogs with severed legs have recently been found in northeast Kansas City.

A 2-year-old male Rottweiler was found on Tuesday near Kessler Park; the dog's rear right leg had been severed.

A week earlier, a female puppy, called Misty, was found at 11th Street and Newton Avenue; the puppy also had a severed back leg.

A hind leg of each dog had been chopped off at the knee.

Both dogs are now under care at Raytown Animal Hospital. Veterinarian Dr. Heath Rose said he'll have to amputate what's left of the leg to save the dog's life.

Veterinarian Dr. Heath Rose said he believes both injuries were intentional. Rose said he suspects the weapon used on the dogs was an ax or something similarly heavy and sharp.

"An ax or machete -- some large instrument that would cut through that muscle and bone," said Michelle Dormandy with Spay and Neuter Kansas City.

Residents in the historic neighborhood said they see a lot of stray dogs in the area.

Animal protection groups will canvas the neighborhood and put up fliers asking for help to solve the crime.

"We hope this person is caught before this can happen again. I think this is a cruel and brutal act. People need to be caught. Never heard of anything like this happening," Dormandy said.

Anyone with information in the case can call the city's Animal Health and Public Safety Department at 816-513-9800 or the Crime Stoppers TIPS hot line at 816-474-TIPS.