FL Woman Driver Abandons Dog On Busy Road Dog Chases Car Until She Gets Arrested

EUSTIS, FL. (THECOUNT) — Florida woman, Anna Kist, was arrested after she abandon a dog on the side of a busy Eustis roadway on Wednesday, according to reports.

Kist (Umatilla), 18, was spotted by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office captain abandoning a dog on the side of the road and immediately driving away. The dog then started chasing after her vehicle in busy traffic.

Deputies say they conducted a traffic stop on Kist after the dog was recovered from the roadway.

Deputies say Kist claimed her sister couldn’t care for the animal anymore, and this was her way to “get rid of it.”

Kist was arrested and charged with animal abandonment and has since been released on a $1,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office animal enforcement team said the dog was severely malnourished but otherwise in good spirits, reports WCVB.

The K9 was taken into the custody of the Lake County Animal Services.

It is unclear if the animal will be returned to the suspect or put up for adoption.

Deputies said the entire situation could’ve been avoided if the woman had just taken the dog to Lake County Animal Services in the first place.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook:

On the morning of October 30th LCSO Captain Todd Luce saw a tan vehicle pull off of South Bay Street in Eustis near West Badger, and put this pup out of the vehicle. The car then immediately drove off and the dog began to chase the car in busy traffic. Captain Luce added that several vehicles had to swerve to miss striking the animal. Captain Luce pulled the vehicle over and found 18 year old Anna Kist (Umatilla) as the driver and no other passengers.

After retrieving the dog from traffic, Ms. Kist was interviewed and advised of her rights. Ms. Kist said her sister no longer could care for the animal and this was her way of getting rid of it (not a quote). Captain Luce also stated that the whole situation seemed to be amusing to Ms. Kist even when she was told the animal was almost struck by vehicles.

Deputies and LCSO Animal Enforcement Officers responded and noted that the animal was severely malnourished but in good spirits (as seen in the pictures).

Ms. Kist was arrested and charged with animal abandonment and has since been released on a $1,000 bond and the dog was released to Lake County Animal Services.

It should be noted that this situation is EASILY avoided. That is what the Lake County Animal Shelter is here for. Check out lakecountyfl.gov/offices/animal_services/ for more information.

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Geo quick facts: Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,106 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 19,129. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area. Eustis High School is the town’s local public high school – Wikipedia.