MARATHON, Fla. – A Marathon woman was arrested Sunday on an animal abuse charge after a Nov. 20 incident in which she choked her daughter's 6-month-old Siberian husky, authorities said.
Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said witnesses found the dog, Lulu, wandering around Aviation Boulevard and knew that her owner lived at the Coconut Cay Apartments.
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Herrin said witnesses took Lulu to Diana Linares, 45, whose daughter owns the dog.
Witnesses told deputies that they saw a man at the apartment lift the dog by her front paws and hit her chest several times with his knee.
Witnesses said they then saw Linares repeatedly pick up the dog by the collar, lifting her off the ground and choking her.
Herrin said Linares choked the dog for up to 30 to 60 seconds at a time.
The two witnesses eventually talked Linares into giving the dog back to them, and they took Lulu to the Marathon Veterinary Clinic.
Herrin said Lulu suffered an injury to one of her eyes, which the veterinarian said was caused by either asphyxiation or blunt-force trauma.
Animal control officers were called to the clinic and referred the case to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
An arrest warrant was issued for Linares, who was taken into custody on Sunday.
The man accused of being involved in the incident has not yet been identified.