Woman accused of swinging dog around by leash in Fargo bars

FARGO - A 27-year-old Fargo woman was arrested early today after customers and employees at two downtown bars reported she was abusing a small dog and screaming hysterically, at one point threatening to kill the animal, police said.

Patrons at the Bismarck and Empire bars on Broadway reported that the woman was swinging the Lhaso Apso dog by the leash, holding it by the neck and pulling its hair out, Lt. Joel Vettel said.

Concerned that the dog was in danger, they separated the woman from the canine and called police at 12:51 a.m., Vettel said.

When officers arrived, the woman refused to follow their instructions, Vettel said. She was escorted out of the Empire and told not to return, but she tried to re-enter the bar several times before police arrested her, he said.

Kristine Sellie-Hanson was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and resisting a police officer. She was taken to the Cass County Jail.

The dog was taken to Valley Veterinary Hospital. It wasn't believed to be injured, Vettel said.