Chicken killed in Florida intersection leads to bear mace attack and a woman’s arrest

A strange scene unfolded on the streets of Key West on July 9, when a traffic encounter involving a chicken ended in violence and a woman’s arrest.

According to Key West police, 38-year-old Cynthia Sosa became enraged after another driver allegedly ran over a chicken in front of her. Sosa told authorities she had stopped on Petronia Street to allow the chicken to cross safely when the other driver, later identified as Perla DeMiller, honked in frustration and then accelerated, striking the bird.

Sosa avenged the chicken’s death

Reports say Sosa, incensed by the incident, decided to follow DeMiller’s vehicle to the intersection of Emma and Olivia Streets. There, she reportedly exited her car, opened the passenger door of DeMiller’s vehicle, and sprayed both DeMiller and a passenger with bear mace.

The powerful deterrent temporarily blinded both women, prompting calls to emergency services. Responding officers from the Key West Police Department arrived within minutes, and the victims were treated at the scene by the Key West Fire Department.

Sosa is now facing charges

Law enforcement officers quickly identified Sosa as the suspect and arrested her soon afterward. She now faces two counts of aggravated battery and one count of burglary with assault or battery. Her arraignment is scheduled for July 24, when she is expected to enter a plea.

Sosa reportedly admitted to police that she was attempting to “teach [DeMiller] a lesson” for killing the chicken. Witnesses at the scene backed up the account given by the victims, stating that a woman jumped out of a dark-colored sedan, sprayed the occupants of another vehicle, and then fled south down Emma Street.

Police Officer Jesse Torrecillas was among those who took statements and filed the incident report, which has since been reviewed by multiple local news outlets.

Chicken defenders are not above the law

Legal analysts have noted that while emotions may run high in incidents involving animal cruelty, the use of bear spray against another person constitutes a serious crime under Florida law. Bear mace is a chemical deterrent designed to stop large animals, not people, and its use in a non-self-defense situation can lead to felony charges, as in this case.

The incident has sparked a wave of online debate, with some users expressing sympathy for the chicken, while others criticized the alleged overreaction. As Sosa prepares for her court appearance, the case continues to raise questions about road rage.