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Woman arrested after Chihuahua is found in Winter Haven dumpster

Posted at 11:28 AM, Sep 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-24 18:46:18-04

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A woman was arrested in Polk County after her Chihuahua was found in a Winter Haven dumpster.

On Saturday, deputies responded to an animal cruelty investigation at 4073 Mahogany Run in Winter Haven. Two people in the area heard a noise they said sounded like a dog coming from a dumpster behind an apartment complex.

One of them dove in and pulled out a sealed trash bag with a brindled colored Chihuahua wearing a pink collar inside.

Animal control found a microchip implant on the dog that was registered to 41-year-old Shawkimo Anderson.

When asked by deputies, she said she gave her dog "Diamond" to someone two months ago. However, she later changed that story and admitted to sealing the dog in a trash bag and putting it in the dumpster. She said she did it because she could no longer afford to care for Diamond, whom she had for four years.

Anderson was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. She was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.  The dog later died and a necropsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death. 

"I don't know how anyone could do this to a pet," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "This woman stuffed an innocent creature into a bag and left it to die when all she had to do was give it to someone or surrender it to Animal Control, no questions asked. Because of her selfish action, the dog has now passed away. I commend the people who did their best to try and save her."