POLK COUNTY, Florida -- A Polk County woman was arrested and charged with DUI Thursday while riding a horse.
Donna Byrne, 53, was also charged with animal neglect for failing to provide proper protection for the horse, which was being ridden in the roadway, placing it in jeopardy of being injured or killed.
Deputies responded to Combee Road near North Crystal Lake Road in Lakeland around 1:40 p.m. after a report stating a woman on a horse appeared to be confused and possibly in danger.
According to the report, Byrne had an odor of alcohol, red watery eyes, and staggered. After a field sobriety test, Byrne was subsequently arrested for DUI.
According to the report, Byrne's blood alcohol level ran .157 and .161. The legal limit in Florida is .08.
"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," Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The horse was taken by deputies to the Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control livestock facility.
Deputies said Byrne's criminal history includes five felony and ten misdemeanor charges, consisting of cruelty to animals, drug possession, probation violation, and criminal traffic.