Florida Woman Drowned Her Dog in an Airport Bathroom

On December 16, 2024, Alison Agatha Lawrence, 57, arrived at Orlando International Airport with her 9-year-old white miniature schnauzer, Tywinn, to board a Latam Airlines flight to Colombia. Airline officials told her the dog could not board without a health certificate and proof of rabies vaccination, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for international pet travel. Surveillance footage captured Lawrence speaking with an airline agent for 15 minutes before walking into a women’s restroom near the ticketing area with Tywinn. She emerged less than 20 minutes later - alone. She then boarded the flight.

Discovery and Arrest

A janitor who had earlier seen Lawrence cleaning up water and spilled dog food on the floor returned to the same bathroom stall and found a trash bag. Inside was Tywinn’s lifeless body. A necropsy confirmed the dog had been drowned. Alongside the remains were the dog’s companion vest, collar, rabies tag, and a bone-shaped name tag engraved with Lawrence’s name and phone number. Tywinn’s identity was confirmed by an implanted microchip. Lawrence was arrested upon her return to the United States.

Charges and Aftermath

Lawrence was charged with felony animal cruelty. The case drew widespread outrage from animal welfare advocates and drew attention from lawmakers examining animal cruelty laws and airport pet policies. The incident prompted renewed calls for clearer enforcement of international pet travel documentation requirements.

References: Woman accused of drowning dog in an airport bathroom because it wasn’t allowed on flight with her | Florida woman charged with felony after allegedly drowning dog in airport restroom