DUNEDIN, FL — A 48-year-old woman has been charged with felony animal cruelty following an incident on Sunday evening that resulted in the death of a cat.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. on May 4, 2025, Valerie Kuprewicz was observed operating a silver 2021 Hyundai Tucson near 1415 Main Street in Dunedin. According to investigators, Kuprewicz intentionally swerved her vehicle off the road and onto the sidewalk, striking a cat sitting there.
The front tire of the vehicle collided with the cat, causing fatal injuries. The cat’s head was reportedly crushed in the impact. Witnesses stated that Kuprewicz swerved back onto the roadway and sped away from the neighborhood.
Authorities later identified and located the suspect. Kuprewicz was charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals. The charge includes allegations of knowingly and intentionally causing unnecessary pain, suffering, and death to an animal.
The investigation is ongoing. She was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and released on a $10,000 bond on Monday, May 5, 2025.