ORLANDO, Fla. – An arrest affidavit reveals new details on a disturbing case of animal cruelty at Orlando International Airport.
Alison Agatha Lawrence, 57, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony, following the death of her dog.
The incident occurred on Dec. 16, 2024, when the Clermont woman attempted to travel with her dog but was denied boarding due to improper paperwork, Orlando police said.
According to the arrest affidavit, Lawrence allegedly drowned her dog in a bathroom at the airport after being unable to board a flight. The dog was later found dead in a trash bag by an airport employee, who reported the incident to her supervisor.
The employee stated she saw Lawrence “on her knees cleaning up a lot of water and a lot of dog food from the floor of the bathroom handicapped stall,” the affidavit states.
A necropsy later confirmed that the dog died from drowning.
Surveillance footage captured Lawrence entering the airport with her dog, Tywinn, and later exiting the bathroom without the dog and then later seen at her gate. Police said the footage, along with witness statements, led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Lawrence’s actions have sparked outrage, emphasizing the importance of ethical alternatives for pet owners facing travel restrictions. A detective investigating the case noted that Lawrence had other options, such as re-homing or surrendering the dog to a shelter.
State Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach filed Senate Bill 502 that would create stricter penalties for animal cruelty cases.
Animal cruelty charges in Florida can result in up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.