A South Carolina woman has been arrested and charged for ill treatment of animals after dragging Lucky, her German Shepherd, to death.

After receiving multiple tips, the Calhoun County Sherriff’s Department arrested 66-year-old Rita Mintz for using her car and a rope to drag her dog. 

"This arrest comes as a result of numerous community-based tips identifying Mrs. Mintz as the person responsible for the dragging death of the German Shepherd puppy on 8/26/2016," a post on Facebook said.

When officers apprehended the woman, she complied and admitted that she was responsible for the dog's death.

Mintz recently broke her silence and attempted to justify dragging the animal from her car. Although she admitted to making the dog walk outside the car, Mintz claims that the animals death was an accident. According to her statements, Mintz and the dog were at the home of Mintz’s daughter and grandson. During their visit, the dog snapped at the grandson, said Mintz.

She said when she tried to get the dog into the car to take him home, he would not listen, so she had the idea to walk him behind her car.

"I just was, you know, had the thing in my hand just going along, and I didn't know the dog was, you know, hurt. I didn't know,” she said.

Mintz’s daughter, Carol, claimed that although her mother has suffered from a stroke and dementia, she was in her right mind when she tried to take the dog home. Carol also believes this was an accident and her mother did not mean any harm.

"My mom hasn't slept in over 24 hours, because she found out that she killed an animal, and it's killing her,” Carol said.

Mintz faces misdemeanor charges and, if convicted, Mintz will serve a sentence under 90 days. A felony ill treatment to animals conviction carries a sentence between 180 days and five years, along with a fine of $5,000.