A Florida woman has been arrested on charges of animal cruelty and petty theft after allegedly killing her roommate’s pet spider by drowning it in a fizzy drink.
Ilena Rasmussen, 43, was charged on July 29 after reportedly ending the life of a jumping spider in what authorities are treating as an intentional act of animal cruelty.
The incident came to light when Rasmussen’s roommate returned home on July 15 to find her pet spider and its enclosure missing. Concerned, she texted Rasmussen, who confessed to drowning the spider in ginger ale, according to an affidavit from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by The Miami Herald.
Due to the intentional nature of the act, Rasmussen was charged with animal cruelty. The missing spider enclosure led to an additional charge of petty theft.
This wasn’t just any common house spider; the pet was valued at $70, though authorities have not specified the exact species. There are more than 6,000 species of jumping spiders, making the identification challenging.
Despite the serious charges, Rasmussen appears to be treating the situation lightly. According to the New York Post, she made several mocking posts on social media, including one where she flashed a can of ginger ale—the weapon used in the alleged crime. She also posted her mugshot on Facebook, confirming her identity in the photo.
Rasmussen has since organized a GoFundMe campaign to cover her “legal fees for the spider drowner,” setting a goal of $1,000. As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser had only reached $35 from three donations.