POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake Wales woman finds herself facing a slew of charges after allegedly unleashing her dogs on Duke Energy employees and attacking a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy.
28-year-old Tiffany Perkins was arrested on Tuesday, February 25th, following a chaotic incident at her residence on Sugar Pine Loop.
The trouble began when two Duke Energy employees visited Perkins’ home to investigate possible utility theft. Perkins responded by releasing her dogs on the workers, prompting them to call for assistance.
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A responding deputy attempted to speak with Perkins, but she became uncooperative and called 911. As the deputy moved to arrest her, he was attacked by one of Perkins’ Great Danes, causing injuries to his arm and eye.
Additional deputies arrived to subdue Perkins and take her into custody. The investigation confirmed that she was, in fact, stealing electricity from Duke Energy after her power had been disconnected.
Animal Control officers also responded to the scene and discovered a second Great Dane in extremely poor health.
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Perkins was transported to the Polk County Jail and charged with a laundry list of offenses, including:
- Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement
- Aggravated Assault on Law Enforcement
- Aggravated Assault (2 counts)
- Resisting with Violence
- Resisting without Violence
- Theft of Utility Services
- Petit Theft
- Trespass Other Than Structure/Conveyance
- Animal Cruelty
- Open Septic
- Nuisance Injurious to Health
- Burning Prohibited Materials
- Waste Tire Disposal
- Misuse of 911
- Unpermitted Landfill
Both dogs were removed from the property.
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