‘I drowned my dog.’ Bradenton woman says chocolate lab wouldn’t stop barking, cops say

A 43-year-old Bradenton woman has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after she admitted she drowned her chocolate labrador retriever in her bathtub because it wouldn’t stop barking and biting, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

About 2 p.m. on Nov. 4, deputies say Kathryn Kinsella arrived at her residence in the 5500 block of First Avenue East while maintenance staff were working on her air conditioner. As soon as she came home, she took her dog out for a walk, returned home and immediately went into the bathroom, according to the arrest report.

One of the maintenance men heard Kinsella screaming and the dog whining, which grew louder over the next couple of minutes, deputies say.

The maintenance man asked if she needed help, but she refused. As the screaming grew louder, he rushed into the bathroom to see the dog floating in the bathtub, according to the report.

The maintenance man attempted to save the dog to no avail. After deputies arrived, Kinsella said, “I drowned my dog,” according to the report.

Deputies say that Kinsella said “she became so upset with her dog barking all the time and biting her that her anger built up and she drowned the dog.”

Kinsella said she recently lost two family members, which has led to excessive depression.

She was taken into custody under the Baker Act so she could medically evaluated. The investigation continued until a necropsy on the dog could be completed.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant on Dec. 16 and Kinsella was booked into the Manatee County jail on Dec. 17. She was released the same day after posting a $5,000 bond.

Kinsella is due to be arraigned on Jan. 10.

This story was originally published December 31, 2019 at 7:49 AM.