Woman Accused Of Killing Puppy To Board Plane

A US woman has been accused of drowning a puppy in an airport bathroom after being told she could not board a plane with the pet.

Cynthia Anderson made two attempts to get on the flight at Central Nebraska Regional Airport, the first time last Thursday, with five dogs.

The 56-year-old, of Edgewater, Florida, was travelling with two adult Yorkshire terriers, which were in kennel crates, two Yorkshire terrier puppies and a Doberman puppy.

When her bag was screened, security agents told her she could not fly with the three-week-old puppies because they were too young. Dogs must be at least eight weeks old to board a plane.

Grand Island Police Captain Dean Elliot told Sky News: "The eyes weren't even open on the puppies yet."

Anderson dropped off the two terrier puppies with her parents and returned to the airport a day later with the two adult dogs.

She also had the Doberman puppy hidden in her carry-on luggage, said Capt Elliot.

After she was again told she could not fly with the puppy, a witness saw Anderson go into the women's bathroom.

The puppy was found dead in a toilet. A necropsy on the dog showed its lungs were filled with water.

Anderson was arrested at the airport and is currently in custody at Hall County Jail charged with animal cruelty, said Capt Elliot.

He said the two adult dogs are now with the Central Nebraska Humane Society.

The two puppies are with Anderson's parents.