Florida Woman Charged After Allegedly Drowning Dog at Orlando Airport

Orlando, Florida – A Florida woman has been charged with felony animal cruelty after allegedly killing her dog in a bathroom at Orlando International Airport during the Christmas season last year.

Alison Agatha Lawrence, 57, was arrested on Tuesday, March 18, and charged with aggravated animal abuse, a third-degree felony.

The Orlando Police Department first responded to the case on December 16, 2024, after an airport employee discovered a dead animal in a trash receptacle inside a women’s public restroom.

According to a spokesperson for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), an investigation determined that Lawrence had drowned her dog in the restroom before disposing of it in the trash. She allegedly did so after being denied boarding due to a lack of proper paperwork required to bring the pet on the flight.

Following an investigation, police issued a warrant for Lawrence’s arrest, and she was apprehended at her home in Lake County. She has since posted a $5,000 bond and been released.

Neighbors of Lawrence recalled seeing her walking a white poodle in the neighborhood but noted that both she and the dog had not been seen recently.

Bryan Wilson of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida voiced his support for stricter animal cruelty laws, stating, “Obviously, we were shocked when we heard a woman had effectively drowned her companion animal all because she couldn’t get on a plane. This is not a bottle of water or an oversized bottle of shampoo.”

The GOAA has urged travelers to check the TSA website for regulations on flying with animals to ensure compliance before arriving at the airport.