Woman Throws Dog In Dumpster And 'Leaves It To Die' Because She Couldn't Afford It, Police Say

A Florida woman is accused of putting her dog in a sealed trash bag and throwing it into a dumpster where she left it to die because she could no longer afford to keep the pet.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the small Chihuahua named Diamond was discovered when two people walking by the dumpster heard cries that sounded like a dog and one dove inside the dumpster to investigate, according to a statement from law enforcement authorities.

The concerned citizen discovered a "sealed trash bag" that contained a brindled-colored dog wearing a pink collar, according to authorities. The dog was identified through a microchip implant after Animal Control was called to assist. Deputies tracked the pet to 41-year-old Shawkimo Anderson.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Anderson initially told officers she had given the dog away two months ago but later admitted putting the dog in the trash, telling deputies "she could no longer afford to care for Diamond."

The dog, whom Anderson had owned for four years, later died. Authorities plan to conduct a necropsy to determine the animal's exact cause of death.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the woman's actions "selfish."

“I don’t know how anyone could do this to a pet," he said. "This woman stuffed an innocent creature into a bag and left it to die when all she had to do was give it to someone or surrender it to Animal Control, no questions asked."

Anderson has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. She is currently out of jail on a $1,000 bond, the sheriff's office said.

Although the dog ultimately died, law enforcement authorities thanked the people who had intervened and rescued the dog from the dumpster.

"I commend the people who did their best to try and save her," Judd said.

[Photos: Polk County Sheriff's Office]