A Florida woman is facing felony charges after authorities say she drowned her dog in a restroom at Orlando International Airport late last year.
According to local reports and an arrest record obtained by PEOPLE, 57-year-old Alison Agatha Lawrence was arrested on March 18 and charged with aggravated animal abuse, a third-degree felony under Florida law.
The incident occurred on December 16, 2024, when airport employees at Orlando International Airport (MCO)discovered a deceased dog inside a women’s public restroom. Officers from the Orlando Police Department responded to the scene following the report.
A Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) spokesperson told WESH that surveillance and incident evidence indicated Lawrence intentionally drowned her dog in a toilet after being told she could not board her flight with the animal due to lacking proper documentation.
Local news outlet WFLA reported that Lawrence had attempted to bring the dog onboard but was turned away at security for not having the required pet travel paperwork. Rather than seeking alternative options, officials say she went into the restroom and committed the act before proceeding to the security checkpoint alone.
An investigation was launched and an arrest warrant was issued based on evidence from the day of the incident. Lawrence was ultimately located and taken into custody in Lake County nearly three months later. She was booked and later released on a $5,000 bond, according to arrest records.
Bryan Wilson, an animal activist with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, expressed his outrage during an interview with ClickOrlando.
“Obviously, we were shocked when we heard a woman had effectively drowned her companion animal all because she couldn’t get on a plane,” he said.
“This is not a bottle of water or an oversized bottle of shampoo.”
Authorities are urging travelers with pets to familiarize themselves with airline and TSA regulations regarding animal transport. A spokesperson from GOAA advised passengers to consult the TSA website before arriving at the airport to avoid similar tragedies.
As of Wednesday, representatives for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Police Department, and GOAA had not provided further comment.
The investigation remains ongoing.