Orlando, Florida – A woman has been arrested in Lake County, Florida, after drowning her white miniature schnauzer in a bathroom at Orlando International Airport. This disturbing incident unfolded after the woman was not allowed to bring the dog on her international flight due to a paperwork issue. The act, deemed intentional by authorities, led to the woman being charged with aggravated animal abuse, a third-degree felony. Following her arrest, she was released on $5,000 bail.
The tragic event began to unravel when a janitor discovered the lifeless body of the 9-year-old schnauzer, named Tywinn, in a trash bag inside a bathroom stall at the airport. Prior to this grim discovery, the janitor had seen the woman cleaning up water and dog food in the same stall where the dog was later found. Investigators also found various items belonging to the dog, including a vest, collar, rabies tag, a dog travel bag, and a bone-shaped tag with the woman’s contact information, in the trash container alongside Tywinn.
Surveillance footage from the airport revealed the woman engaging in a conversation with a Latam Airlines agent for 15 minutes, with the dog by her side. The footage then captured her entering a bathroom with the dog and exiting without Tywinn less than 20 minutes later. Subsequently, the woman left the terminal building, reentered shortly after, passed through security, and boarded a plane bound for Colombia. It was confirmed that the woman had been informed she could not bring the dog onboard due to lacking the required paperwork for international travel.
Authorities were able to identify the dog through its implanted microchip and later confirmed through a necropsy that Tywinn had been drowned. Moreover, U.S. Customs and Border Protection verified the woman’s travel to Bogota, Colombia, and subsequently to Ecuador. The regulations stipulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture require dogs traveling from the U.S. to Colombia to have a veterinarian-issued health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate, which the woman failed to provide.
This appalling act of animal cruelty has sparked outrage and serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership. The investigation surrounding this case continues as authorities seek justice for Tywinn, the innocent victim of this senseless tragedy.