Catherine Kieu Becker, 48, was booked by police for allegedly drugging her estranged husband, tying him to a bed, cutting off his penis with a knife and throwing it in a garbage disposal in her home in Garden Grove, Calif. (Garden Grove Police Dept./Associated Press)

A Southern California woman was jailed Wednesday after her estranged husband was allegedly drugged and tied to a bed, and his penis was cut off before it was put through a garbage disposal.

Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale allege Catherine Kieu Becker drugged a meal and served it to the man, whose name was not released, shortly before the attack Monday night.

Nightengale said the 51-year-old man felt sick, went to lie down and lost consciousness. The victim's arms and legs were then tied to the bed with rope, his clothes were removed and he was attacked with a kitchen knife as he awoke, Nightengale said.

"He was conscious when his penis was removed," Nightengale said.

He said it was put in the garbage disposal, which was turned on.

Man in serious condition

Police said 911 was called and officers were told when they arrived that the victim was in the next room, Nightengale said. Paramedics found him tied to the bed, bleeding profusely.

Bail for Becker was set at $1 million US after she was booked at the Orange County Jail for investigation of aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, administering a drug with intent to commit a felony, poisoning and spousal abuse.

The victim underwent surgery and was listed in good condition at the University of California at Irvine Medical Center in Orange, hospital spokesman John Murray told the Orange County Register.

The newspaper said the victim declined to comment when he was reached by phone Tuesday afternoon.

"This is a private matter," he said.

Becker was taken into custody without incident, although she would not talk to officers, Nightengale said.

Memories of 1993 Bobbitt case

Becker is due in court Wednesday. A telephone listing for her residence could not be located and no one was home in the apartment.

Neighbour Lourdes Painter told The Associated Press the couple had been married since December, did not have any children and seemed very quiet. Becker and her husband lived in a second-storey condo in the working-class complex. Painter lives in the unit below them.

The couple was reportedly in the process of a divorce.

Nightengale said a database search showed no previous calls to the house for any past problems. He didn't know what kind of food the couple ate for dinner.

No private lawyer was listed on booking documents. If Becker seeks a public defender, one could be appointed at her first court appearance.

In 1993, Lorena Bobbitt cut off her husband's penis in Virginia.

She claimed years of sexual abuse drove her to the attack, and she was acquitted by reason of insanity. His penis was later reattached.