Inset: Alison Agatha Lawrence (Orlando Police Dept.). Background: Orlando International Airport (OrlandoAviation/YouTube).
A 57-year-old woman in Florida is accused of intentionally killing her dog while inside Orlando International Airport, allegedly drowning the animal inside of the women’s bathroom because she was not going to be allowed to take the animal on the flight with her. Alison Agatha Lawrence was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with one count of felony aggravated animal abuse in connection with the incident.
According to a news release from the Orlando Police Department, officers on Dec. 16, 2024, responded to the airport after being notified about “a dead animal” that was found by an airport employee inside one of the public women’s restrooms. The restroom where the animal was found was located before the facility’s TSA security checkpoints.
“Based on the investigation, the Orlando Police Department issued a warrant for the arrest of Alison Agatha Lawrence for Aggravated Animal Cruelty, a third-degree felony,” police wrote in the brief release.
Authorities did not reveal what kind of animal was found in the bathroom, but sources with knowledge of the incident reportedly told Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV that it was a pet dog. Investigators reportedly believe Lawrence killed the dog inside the women’s bathroom by drowning it.
The sources further told the station that Lawrence arrived at the airport with her dog but did not have the proper paperwork that would allow the animal to accompany her on the flight.
Law&Crime reached out to the Orlando Police Department for additional information and was instructed to file a public records request for copies of the warrant and probable cause affidavit in connection with Lawrence’s arrest.
Lawrence was taken into custody in Clermont, Florida, yesterday and transported to the Lake County Jail. She was released after posting a $5,000 bond, online records show.
It was not immediately clear when Lawrence was scheduled to appear in court or if she had retained an attorney to represent her in the matter.
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