Florida Woman Arrested After Allegedly Driving Away With Dog Tied to Her Vehicle, Leaving Animal With Devastating Injuries

A Florida woman has been arrested after authorities accused her of driving away with a dog still tied to her vehicle, dragging the helpless animal along the roadway and leaving it with severe injuries. The disturbing incident came to light after a passerby noticed what was happening and intervened, potentially preventing the dog from suffering even longer.

Wendy Pena, 27, of Pomona Park, was arrested on November 5, 2026, and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony, according to records obtained by PEOPLE. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said a Good Samaritan spotted the dog attached to Pena’s vehicle and managed to flag her down. Pena reportedly stopped and got out after being alerted to the situation.

According to the witness, Pena appeared remorseful but said she could not take the injured dog to a veterinarian because she needed to pick up her children. The passerby then took responsibility for getting the animal medical attention and transported it to a veterinary clinic. What veterinarians discovered was deeply concerning: the dog had multiple deep, open wounds and severe trauma to its paws and shoulder, reportedly consistent with being dragged along the road.

After examining the animal, the veterinarian recommended euthanasia as the most humane option because of the extent of its injuries. The recommendation highlighted just how serious the dog’s condition had become. However, reports differed on the animal’s final outcome: some local coverage said the dog died, while another report stated that it was unknown whether euthanasia had actually been carried out.

Putnam County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach condemned the alleged conduct, stressing that pet owners have a responsibility to keep animals safe and properly secured. He said that leaving a dog attached to a vehicle that could be driven away was not an acceptable mistake or excuse. Authorities have not publicly provided further details explaining exactly how the dog became attached to the vehicle or how long it was dragged.

Pena was booked into the Putnam County Jail following her arrest and later released after posting a $10,000 bond. She now faces a felony animal cruelty charge, but the allegations have not yet been proven in court. The case has drawn attention to the importance of animal safety and the responsibility owners have to protect pets from preventable harm.

Source: PEOPLE