GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – A Florida woman is facing a felony charge after police said she killed a puppy at a Nebraska airport.
Police said 56-year-old Cynthia Anderson is accused of animal neglect after allegedly drowning a puppy in the airport bathroom.
If convicted, she could spend up to five years in prison.
She told a judge in court Monday she has medical conditions including osteoporosis, broken bones, depression and anxiety.
Anderson also said she has brain damage.
Anderson’s brother-in-law Gary Bodenheimer said, “We just hope that our, my sister-in-law, gets the help that she needs.”
Officials said Anderson tried to board a flight at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport Thursday with two crated dogs and three newborn puppies in her carry-on.
She wasn’t allowed on the plane but returned again Friday with a puppy and was denied again.
That’s when police said Anderson went to the bathroom, drowned the puppy in toilet and tried to flush the body.
Meanwhile, the Central Nebraska Humane Society was already on the way.
Central Nebraska Humane Society Executive Director Laurie Dethloff said, “It’s disheartening because we were only a mile away.”
Dethloff said she credits passengers for alerting airport staff.
“Their priority was for the well-being of an animal and that’s a powerful statement,” Dethloff said. “There’s a lot of things that go on that we don’t have enough eyes or ears to so when we’ve had the public involved we’ve had good results with prosecution.”
The humane society is taking care of the two Yorkies that were caged for the flight.
Anderson is expected back in court Feb. 10.
Source: CNN, KHGI
