Florida Woman Charged With ANIMAL CRUELTY for Drowning Roommate’s Spider in Soda
The woman from Florida has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and theft for allegedly stealing the spider that belonged to her roommate and then drowning it in Pepsi, as reported by the police.
In connection with the death of the jumping spider, Ilena Renae Rasmussen, 43, from Crestview, Florida, was taken into custody on Monday to face charges.
It was on July 15 when Rasmussen’s roommate reported that she had discovered the missing spider and its enclosure. This prompted the police to become aware of the situation.
“The defendant texted the victim admitting to drowning the jumping spider in Ginger Ale,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wrote in an affidavit that was acquired by The Miami Herald. “The victim admitted to sending the defendant the text.”
Although it was believed that the spider was worth $70, the reason for the drowning of the spider is still unknown. According to the University of Florida, jumping spiders, also known as salticids, are capable of jumping from one plant to another and can range in length from one millimeter to twenty-three millimeters.
The spiders, which are frequently kept as pets, are of “considerable beneficial importance in the control of flies, mosquitoes, and other human pests,” according to the University of Florida. They like to make their homes in man-made structures that have a lot of lighting since this is where they can trap insects.