Cottondale Woman Accused of Poisoning Dog With Antifreeze & Hard Drugs

A Tuscaloosa County pitbull was euthanized this month and his former owner has been arrested after she allegedly poisoned him with antifreeze and a cocktail of hard drugs.

According to court documents filed recently, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office was made aware on September 10th of alleged animal abuse taking place on Buttermilk Road in Cottondale.

Deputies say two women became concerned about the dog and unsuccessfully offered to buy him away from his owner, Barbara Jo Ledwig, who had allegedly decided to "euthanize him on her own."

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On September 10th, the concerned women called TCSO after Ledwig allegedly poisoned and drugged the animal and placed a plastic bag over his head trying to suffocate him.

Deputies responded, and one of the civilians took the animal to a nearby animal hospital, where he was given two IVs and released, but later that same night, the dog's health declined.

On a return visit to the animal hospital, a veterinarian ran several tests, and "several narcotics were found in the canine's system, along with antifreeze."

The hospital decided to euthanize the animal, who reportedly died shortly after he was sedated but before the medication to end his suffering was administered, likely because of the poisons already inside him.

"A toxicology screen was provided. It was revealed that the canine had MDMA, Cocaine, THC and Amphetamines suspected to be in his system," according to charging documents. "The report also showed that the antifreeze had crystalized in the kidneys of the canine, causing no free fluid."

Ledwig, a 48-year-old Cottondale woman, was arrested and charged with Animal Cruelty in the First Degree, which is a Class C felony.

She was placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $2,500 bond. She was no longer listed as an inmate Thursday, meaning her mugshot is not publicly available and she may have been released from custody.