Woman Arrested for Allegedly Stuffing Puppies in Backpack, Abusing Them at Pompano Beach Bar

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  • Witnesses saw Teresa Gardner swinging the backpack as well as slamming it on tables and benches at the bar off Atlantic Blvd.

A Pompano Beach woman was taken into custody over the weekend on a disturbing charge after police say she stuffed four puppies into a backpack and allegedly abused them while inside of a bar.

Broward Sheriff’s deputies arrested 27-year-old Teresa Gardner on Sunday morning and charged her with multiple counts, include tormenting animals and resisting arrest.

According to an arrest report, witnesses saw Gardner swinging the backpack as well as slamming it on tables and benches at the Briny Irish Pub located off East Atlantic Boulevard.

Deputies were able to rescue the puppies, each just four weeks old, who appeared shaken and tormented.

Gardner later refused to exit a patrol car and had to forcibly be removed. She was being held on $500 bond.

The chihuahua puppies were taken to Broward County Animal Care and Control where they were checked out by a veterinarian. Officials there said they were in good health despite what was done to them.

"It's hard to understand why she would have animals in a bag like this. They could've died, I don't know why anyone would take puppies to a bar at all, it's a very bizarre situation," BSO spokesperson Gina Carter said.

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