The legs weren't hacked off with an ax, which is the most efficient way,' said Dr. Allen, pausing to choose his words. 'It appears from the wounds that Sparky's legs might have been removed by a large animal. They might actually have been... twisted off.
Dr. Allen suggests that Sparky's legs were not cut off with an axe, as that would be the most straightforward method. Instead, the wounds imply a different process involving a large animal, which could have caused the injuries. The possibility that the legs were twisted off indicates a different, more complex mechanism of injury.
He emphasizes the nature of the wounds to highlight that the injuries were likely not due to human intervention but rather caused by a powerful animal. This detail points to the wild or unpredictable circumstances surrounding Sparky's injury, adding a layer of mystery and complexity to the scene described in Carl Hiaasen's book, Tourist Season.