US: Florida Woman Arrested for Drowning Roommate's Jumping Spider in Ginger Ale; Faces Animal Cruelty Charges
A Florida woman in US was arrested for allegedly drowning her roommate's $70 jumping spider in ginger ale. She faces charges of animal cruelty and petty theft, according to local authorities.
Florida, August 2: In Florida, an animal cruelty case has been registered against a woman who was arrested for allegedly stealing and drowning her roommate's spider in soda. The spider, valued at USD 70, was reported missing along with its enclosure. According to a sheriff's affidavit, the defendant texted the victim, admitting to drowning the jumping spider in ginger ale. On July 29, the accused was charged with animal cruelty and petty theft.
Ilena Renae Rasmussen, 43, of Crestview, Florida, was arrested on Monday for the death of a jumping spider. Police were alerted to the case on July 15 when Rasmussen’s roommate reported the spider and its enclosure missing. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Rasmussen texted the victim, admitting to drowning the jumping spider in ginger ale. Woman Dumps Puppies in Dustbin VIRAL VIDEO: Watch Heartbreaking Clip of Louisiana Woman Ruthlessly Dumping Small Dogs Into a Dustbin, Gets Booked for Animal Cruelty.
The jumping spider involved in the incident was valued at $70, but the motive behind its drowning remains unclear. According to the University of Florida, jumping spiders, also known as salticids, are capable of jumping from plant to plant and can vary in size from 1 mm to 23 mm. Spider Bite Kills Tourist in Brazil: Man Gets Bitten by One of World’s Deadliest Spiders While Having Food at Cairu Restaurant, Dies.
These spiders are sometimes kept as pets and play a significant role in controlling pests like flies and mosquitoes. They are known to prefer man-made structures with abundant lighting, where they can capture insects effectively.
This animal cruelty case is similar to a May incident in Cape Coral, Florida, where a man was accused of deliberately killing a betta fish by flushing it down the toilet, according to an affidavit.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2024 01:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).