Woman arrested after video shows her hitting, dragging dog

A Mississippi woman was seen in a video hitting a dog and yanking so hard on its leash that it flipped backward on the sidewalk, police said.

Crystal Springs police fielded numerous calls after a neighbor posted a since-removed video on social media of Madeline Winternheimer with the dog, WLBT reported.

"Once the community saw that video, we started getting calls from just about everyone," Police Chief Palmer told the Clarion Ledger. "I have a very sympathetic community, especially when it comes to animals."

Another part of the video shows Winternheimer hitting the dog, whose name was not released, when it tries to walk forward, the Ledger reported.

Winternheimer told police she was walking the dog for someone else, the Ledger reported.

The dog was taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. Police then returned the dog to Winternheimer’s mother, who is its owner.

"The officers checked the residence and looked around to make sure the dog was in good care," Palmer told the Ledger.

Winternheimer, 32, was arrested at her home on Monday and charged with animal cruelty, the Ledger reported. She was later released on a $1,500 bond.

She was previously convicted of child abuse in 2010 and sentenced to 12 years, according to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

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