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Woman arrested in Boynton Beach after dog, rabbit found in car

Posted at 11:15 AM, Oct 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-26 14:44:44-04

A 21-year-old woman faces animal cruelty charges after a dog and rabbit were found locked in a car in Boynton Beach.

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At 6:26 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to The Inn located at 480 W. Boynton Beach Blvd and found a small pit bull puppy they described in “obvious distress.” 

Two witnesses said the dog, which had a heavy chain tightly wrapped around its neck, had been in the car between one and two hours with all of the windows closed. 

 

The owner, later identified as Beatrice Madeline Turner, was not present so officers broke the rear back window and rescued the dog, which they said was panting and sluggish. 

Officers provided water and aid to the puppy. 

While still at the vehicle, they observed a box in the backseat that was tightly sealed with tape.  They heard noises coming from the box and opened it to find a live rabbit.

There were no air holes in the box and police said the rabbit would have died if it was left in the car much longer. 

While on scene, officers eventually located Turner, who said “the dog is fine in the car” and expressed no concern for the well-being of the animals inside. 

Police had to assist in cutting the heavy chain from the dog’s neck because they said it was so tight that it restricted the dogs breathing. 

Turner was arrested on animal cruelty charges, two warrants and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.