Florida Woman Donna Byrne Caught Drunk Driving on a Horse
Florida deputies said “neigh” to Polk County’s Donna Byrne, who decided to presumably ride a horse while under the influence. The Polk Sheriff’s Office caught up with 53-year-old Byrne, who was riding through Lakeland on the horse on Thursday, 11-2-2017.
Donna Byrne
According to a police report obtained by The Global Dispatch, Byrne was “pulled over”; one because she was on a public roadway riding horse and two, a passerby spotted her trotting around town, appearing confused and possibly in danger. When deputies arrived, Byrne reportedly smelled of alcohol, had red watery eyes and staggered.
Her condition prompted deputies to conduct a field sobriety test, and Byrne blew a .157 and .161, both of which are far above the Florida legal limit to ride a horse, which is .08.
In addition to getting arrested for a DUI (or maybe that’s an RUI), she was charged with misdemeanor animal neglect for failing to provide proper protection for the horse.
“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”, Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Deputies took the horse to the Polk County Sheriff’s Animal Control livestock facility and Byrne was taken to the Polk County jail.
Byrne’s prior criminal history includes five felony and ten misdemeanor charges, consisting of cruelty to animals, drug possession, probation violation, and criminal traffic.
