Woman Who Led Officers On Chase With Car Full Of Dogs Was Banned From Caring For Animals, Prosecutor Says
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 47-year-old La Habra woman was charged Monday with leading police on a chase while intoxicated as officers attempted to stop her on an arrest warrant related to dog abuse charges.
Tiffini Kuuipo Tobe was charged with evading police while driving recklessly, a felony, as well as misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting and obstructing an officer and driving without a valid license.
Tobe pleaded not guilty and was ordered to return to court Jan. 28 for a pretrial hearing.
A warrant for Tobe's arrest was issued last week when Tobe failed to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on misdemeanor charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment for a pit bull terrier that had to be euthanized, according to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Malone.
Tobe had two pit bulls under her care at the time of her arrest, despite a court order prohibiting her from having any animals, Malone said.
The chase began after California Highway Patrol Officers saw Tobe asleep at the wheel on the shoulder of the Riverside (91) Freeway Monday and attempted to rouse her.
Instead, Tobe, while intoxicated, punched the gas and led the officers on a chase that reached up to 90 mph, Malone alleged.
Officers said they twice had to use maneuvers to stop her vehicle, which spun around at one point. There were six dogs in the car, including a puppy, and four of them got out when the chase ended.
One of her dogs -- Alan -- had to be euthanized last February after he gnawed the skin off his own rear foot down to the bone due to an untreated illness, according to Malone.
"The one paw that was most severely affected was basically self-amputated," Malone said.
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