Florida Woman Gets DUI Riding A Horse: Deputies

LAKELAND, FL - A Polk City woman was arrested Thursday afternoon for DUI on a horse as she rode on a Lakeland street, Polk County sheriff's deputies said. Donna Byrne, 53, was also charged with animal neglect for failing to provide proper protection for the horse, placing it in jeopardy of being injured or killed.

Deputies responded to the area following a report by a passerby who said Byrne appeared confused, and possibly in danger as she rode the horse, named Boduke, on Combee Road near North Crystal Lake Road in Lakeland, an arrest affidavit said. Byrne had an odor of alcohol, red watery eyes, and staggered. A field sobriety test was conducted, and she was subsequently arrested for DUI, deputies said.

Byrne provided breath samples of .157 and .161, deputies said. A breath alcohol level of .08 is the legal limit in Florida.

"Ms. Byrne was obviously not in any condition to be on the road. She not only put herself and the horse in danger, but also anyone who was driving on the road, which is typically very busy," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

The horse was taken by deputies to the Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control livestock facility. Byrne's prior criminal history includes five felony and 10 misdemeanor charges, consisting of cruelty to animals, drug possession, probation violation, and criminal traffic, deputies said.

Watch Now: Woman Arrested For DUI On A Horse

Images via Polk County Sheriff's Office