A 60-year-old Citrus County woman is accused of tormenting a poodle in front of animal control officers.
Animal Control officers say they went out to 15 Oak Knoll Street in Beverly Hills Saturday night to check on a poodle.
According to an arrest affidavit, animal control officers tried speaking with Tina Pappalardo regarding a male poodle.
Deputies say Pappalardo went inside of her home and brought the poodle out. The poodle reportedly had on a choke collar that was attached to a place leash.
According to an arrest affidavit, when deputies started asking Pappalardo questions about the dog, she lifted the dog in the air by pulling on its leash. The dog was completely off the ground, deputies say.
Deputies say Pappalardo continued dangling the dog and said, "You want to see him, here he is."
Pappalardo began walking into her yard and the dog did not want to follow her, deputies say. Deputies explained Pappalardo began pulling the dog and dragging it behind her on the concrete, causing the dog to begin shaking and urinating on itself.
Deputies say when they asked Pappalardo why she treated the poodle this way, she reportedly told them the dog is mentally handicapped and likes it.
Pappalardo also told officers she gives her poodle Xanax because he is stupid, an affidavit states.
Pappalardo was arrested and her bond was set at $1,000.
Animal control officers took possession of the poodle and other animals in the house.
