A horrifying incident took place at Orlando International Airport in Florida. Upon learning that she could not bring her pet on board, a woman drowned her dog in an airport toilet.
Incident Details:
Authorities stated that the woman, who had traveled from Louisiana, was informed that she could not board the plane with her nine-year-old white miniature schnauzer due to missing documents. In response, she killed the dog in the airport restroom before boarding an international flight to Colombia.
The incident came to light in December when cleaning staff discovered the dog’s lifeless body inside a rubbish bag in a toilet cubicle. Nearby, they found a service dog vest, a leash, a rabies tag, and a pet tag displaying the owner’s name and phone number.
CCTV footage showed the woman speaking with airline officials in the ticketing area for 15 minutes while holding her dog. She then entered the restroom with the dog and emerged 20 minutes later without it. Investigators later confirmed that she boarded a flight to Colombia and subsequently travelled to Ecuador.
Autopsy and Investigation
The dog’s identity was confirmed through its microchip. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was suffocation. The woman was arrested last Wednesday on charges of aggravated animal cruelty, which is classified as a third-degree felony in Florida.
The Orlando Police Department stated, “This act was intentional and resulted in the cruel and unnecessary death of the animal.”
Missing Travel Documents
The incident occurred because the woman failed to present the required documents for her dog. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, dogs travelling from the U.S. to Colombia must have a veterinary health certificate signed by a vet, as well as proof of rabies vaccination. The woman was unable to provide these documents, leading to the airline’s refusal to allow the dog on board.
Legal Proceedings Begin
The woman has not yet been assigned a lawyer. Court proceedings are expected to commence in the coming days.
