Video: Woman rushing ‘dying’ dog to vet arrested by police after erratic driving

DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

HEMPSTEAD CO., Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) – Footage obtained from Arkansas State Police (ASP) shows how a controversial arrest played out in Hempstead County.

The dash cam video, time stamped at around 12:45 on July 17th, shows a car with its hazard lights on running a red light right in front of the trooper’s vehicle. The trooper goes after the vehicle and at one point it can be seen driving on the wrong side of the road to pass another vehicle.

The suspect does not pull over as it leads the trooper down Highway 67 until they turn into the parking lot of a veterinary clinic. Two people exit the vehicle, a passenger who appears to be holding a small dog and a driver who explains that she has to get her dying dog to the vet.

A heated exchange can be heard between the trooper and the suspect that includes:
“I got to get my dog to the vet.”
“No ma’am.”
“He’s about to die.”
“I don’t care.”

After a brief struggle the trooper is able to get the woman in handcuffs and eventually into the back of the state police vehicle.

Once inside the vehicle, the trooper explains to the suspect, “I understand your dog is in a bad shape, ma’am, but do you understand you ran a light. You went into oncoming traffic and cut off the vehicle. You could have killed somebody.”

Meanwhile the other woman is unable to get inside of the vet clinic initially, saying that is closed.

Later on in the video it appears that they open back up and she is able to get inside.

The eventual fate of the woman’s dog is not known.

Arkansas State Police did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the incident but they did confirm that a woman was arrested that day with the same name the suspect gives in the video.

They say she was charged with fleeing in vehicle, resisting arrest, improper passing, reckless driving, and failure to yield to right of way.

Hempstead County court documents show that on Monday, the fleeing and resisting arrest charges were dropped while she pleaded guilty to the other charges and was forced to pay fines.