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Woman who ran over, beat dogs that killed her cat could face jail time

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 62-year-old woman who was found guilty of violating an Orange County ordinance in a revenge killing is facing felony charges Monday.

Witnesses said Wanda Griffin, 62, was out for revenge for the death of her cat and plowed into two dogs before beating them with a bat.

Griffin had paid a $600 fine and attended pet care classes for treating an animal in a neglectful manner, but she could end up behind bars.

The State Attorney’s Office filed third-degree felony animal cruelty charges against Griffin.

Neighbor William Proctor told Channel 9 that the January 2015 incident was a day he’ll never forget.

“It was just brutal and unmerciful and it’s just not right,” Proctor said.

Proctor said he testified in the ordinance violation hearing and that he would testify again in a criminal case.

“She was cursing and saying, ‘They killed my cat. They killed my cat.’ The dogs didn't understand what they were saying,” said Proctor. “All of the sudden, they just turned their car right into the dogs, and that just made a sound that hurt your stomach when you heard that.”

The dogs were lying in the street with broken bones, and Proctor said he thought the attack was over, but that's when Griffin grabbed a bat and beat them.

Proctor said the dog’s owners encouraged their pets to chase after cats, but he said two wrongs don’t make a right.

Proctor said he’d warned the owners in the past.

“They didn’t pay too much attention to what I was saying. But when they had to come over here and get their dead dog, they was crying, you know, they was remorseful,” said Proctor.

The latest felony charges filed against Griffin can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.