A Crystal Springs woman who can be seen repeatedly kicking and yanking the leash of a dog she is walking in a video circulating on social media has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty.
The arrest comes after the video was posted to Facebook by a concerned neighbor.
In one part of the video, the woman, identified as 32-year-old Madeline Winternheimer, yanks on the leash so hard it flips the dog backward onto the sidewalk.
In another part of the video, she can be seen repeatedly striking the dog every time it appears to try and walk forward.
The incident was captured by a neighbor across the street, who at first appears to be filming through the window blinds of the home, before moving the camera to an open window.
After the video was posted to Facebook, the police department started getting calls that Saturday, said Crystal Springs Police Chief Chris Palmer.
"Once the community saw that video, we started getting calls from just about everyone. I have a very sympathetic community, especially when it comes to animals," Palmer said.
Police arrested Winterheimer at her home and charged her with misdemeanor animal cruelty. She was released after posting a $1,500 bond.
The chief said Winterheimer was walking the dog for someone else. Police took the dog to a local veterinarian for treatment and then returned the dog to its rightful owner.
Palmer said officers feel confident the dog is in good hands.
According to records, Winternheimer in 2012 was charged with felonious child abuse and sentenced to 12 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
At the time, she was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and to receive psychological, psychiatric and anger management treatment,
according to the Copiah County Courier.
