TAMPA — Authorities arrested a Tampa woman, saying a dog died shortly after she performed a caesarean section on it without anesthesia.

Candace Patricia Hauser, 31, was arrested by Tampa police Saturday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after an investigation by Hillsborough County Animal Safety and Enforcement.

Investigators say that on March 4, a Polk County woman brought a pregnant mastiff to Hauser's home at 2011 E Rampart St. because Hauser said she could provide emergency medical help to deliver the puppies.

Hauser performed a C-section on the dog without anesthesia after it had trouble delivering the last two puppies, and then used nonmedical glue to close the incision, according to an arrest affidavit. The dog died later in its owner's car, the report states.

Hauser does not have a license to practice veterinary care, investigators said.

Hauser denied Tuesday that the dog died. She told a reporter that she is the owner of the dog, and that it and its 10 puppies are healthy and in her home.

The first nine were delivered at her home, and the last was delivered at a veterinary office in Hillsborough County via C-section, she said.

Hauser was booked in jail Saturday and released on $2,000 bail.

Times news researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Keeley Sheehan can be reached at ksheehan@tampabay.com.