Woman Arrested On IL Animal Cruelty Charge In Tampa: Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — A woman was arrested in Tampa Tuesday afternoon on an active warrant issued in Illinois that charges her with animal cruelty, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.

Anita Damodaran, 38, was taken into custody at a home off Barbados Isle Drive just after 5 p.m. She was booked into Orient Road Jail.

The warrant was issued by the Chicago Police Department, which will extradite her to Illinois for her charges.

The sheriff’s office didn’t share details about her crimes, but shared photos of the dog related to the case.

One picture shows the dog with thick black hair in front of a Christmas tree. The second photo shows the dog emaciated and missing much of its fur.

"We remain committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who commit acts of cruelty are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our dedication extends to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our community, innocent victims who cannot speak for themselves."