ORLANDO, Fla. – A 57-year-old woman was arrested after police found a “dead animal” inside of a bathroom at Orlando International Airport in December, according to a news release.
Police said they responded to the airport on Dec. 16, 2024, in reference to a dead animal that an employee found inside of the women’s public restroom, before security checkpoints.
State Senator Tom Leek was on the Senate Floor when he heard about the incident and said in a statement, “This is yet another horrible example of why I filed Senate Bill 502: (Animal Cruelty Offences) related to animal cruelty, which strengthens criminal penalties for those who do harm to innocent animals. It is my commitment to have this good bill pass the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives and sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature.”
According to the release, investigators issued a warrant for Alison Agatha Lawrence for aggravated animal cruelty.
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Police said Lawrence was arrested in Clermont on Tuesday and was taken to the Lake County jail, where she has since posted $5,000 bond.
Orlando police did not say what kind of animal it was that died. No other information was released.
Neighbors Roy and Janet Fernandes said they watched as law enforcement arrived at Lawrence’s home to make the arrest.
“I kept looking out, wondering what was going on,” Janet Fernandes said. “Then they left, then they came back. He said he heard a commotion going on outside. That must have been when they arrested her.”
Other neighbors expressed shock upon learning the news.
“It’s upsetting, sad,” said Margie Leon, who lives nearby.
“About a week or two ago, he said, ‘I don’t know why we haven’t seen the lady with the little white dog lately.’ And then we hear this sad story,” said Janet Fernandes.
In response to the incident, State Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, released a statement, citing it as an example of why he introduced Senate Bill 502, aimed at strengthening penalties for animal cruelty cases.
“This is yet another horrible example of why I filed Senate Bill 502,” Leek said in a statement. “It is my commitment to have this good bill pass.”
Animal rights advocates also reacted to the case. Bryan Wilson with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida voiced his support for harsher penalties.
“Obviously, we were shocked when we heard a woman had effectively drowned her companion animal all because she couldn’t get on a plane,” Wilson said. “This is not a bottle of water or an oversized bottle of shampoo.”
Officials at Orlando International Airport reminded travelers to check TSA guidelines regarding traveling with pets.