Woman Drowns 2-Week Old Puppy Because It Wasn’t Allowed on Flight

A woman accused of drowning a puppy at Central Nebraska Regional Airport now faces felony animal cruelty charges.

A Florida woman remains in a Nebraska jail after police officers claim she drowned a puppy at Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI). The Grand Island Independent reports 56-year-old Cynthia V. Anderson, from Edgewater, Florida, is facing felony charges for her alleged actions.

According to police, Anderson was set to board a flight at GRI on Thursday, January 22. With her were three Doberman puppies, each around two weeks old. Anderson was denied boarding because the three dogs were too young and unrestrained. After leaving two of the three dogs with family, Anderson once again tried to fly out of GRI the next day with only one remaining puppy.

The Grand Island Independent reports Anderson was traveling with two other dogs, which were properly kenneled and cleared to board the flight with her. However, she allegedly attempted to smuggle the third Doberman puppy on her flight in a carry-on bag. The puppy was discovered and Anderson was denied boarding again. According to police, that was when Anderson allegedly drowned the two-week old Doberman.

“She was observed going to the restroom,” Grand Island Police Sergeant Stanley Steele told NBC Affiliate KSNB-TV. “And then the witness found the puppy they believed had been in her possession drowned in the toilet.”

Anderson was arrested by Grand Island Police at the airport on charges of recklessly abandoning an animal. If convicted, Anderson could receive a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

KSNB reports the bond for Anderson’s case was set at $10,000. As of the time of writing, Anderson remained in Hall County Jail, where she is awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for February.

[Photo: Hall County Jail]