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Woman behind viral dog-tape-muzzle photo found, charged

CARY, N.C. - Authorities in Cary say a woman who posted a picture of her chocolate lab-mix with its mouth taped shut on her social media page and sparked public outrage is charged with animal cruelty.

A statement from the city on Monday says 45-year-old Katharine F. Lemansky was charged after admitting the incident took place in Cary.

The Facebook page where the picture appeared last Friday lists the woman's name as Katie Brown and carries a South Daytona, Florida, address. A Cary spokesman said family members indicated Lemansky hadn't lived there in more than a year.

Cary Police Capt. Randall Rhyne said there were no signs of injury to the dog's muzzle, and no detectable hair loss.

Lemasnky is facing a fine and a possible jail sentence of up to 150 days.

Police Departments in Connecticut -- where Lemansky allegedly had some connections - as well as Florida started getting inundated with calls about the photo late last week, reports CBS affiliate WFSB in Connecticut.

An Avon Police Department spokesperson told WFSB the situation "is causing a serious strain on our dispatch center."

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