Teresa Gardner, 27, was arrested in Pompano Beach, Florida on Sunday for stuffing four Chihuahua puppies and their mother into a backpack and then swinging it wildly around an Irish pub

A Florida woman has been arrested for stuffing four Chihuahua puppies and their mother into a backpack and then swinging it wildly around an Irish pub.

Teresa Gardner, 27, was taken into custody at Briny Irish Pub in Pompano Beach in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies said Gardner stuffed the mother Chihuahua and the 4-week old puppies into the bag and then sealed it.

Witnesses said she then swung the bag around and smashed it against tables and benches inside the bar.

She also allegedly was caught swinging the bag around wildly outside the bar.

Authorities said the animals were smothering each other inside the bag and had limited oxygen when they were rescued.

Deputies who rescued the puppies said they were 'shaken and tormented'.

They are now being treated and cared for by the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center.

During her arraignment (above) on Monday, Gardner cried as the judge said she found the facts of the case 'troubling'

It is not clear where the animals came from.

A spokeswoman for Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center told the Sun Sentinel that the mother Chihuahua was being very protective of her puppies following the ordeal.

'Mom's a little bit traumatized right now and scared. So far, so good with the puppies. They're here under observation right now,' the spokeswoman said.

'They're just here in safekeeping right now.'

During her arraignment on Monday, Gardner cried as the judge said she found the facts of the case 'troubling'.

Gardner screamed out 'I didn't do that!' when the facts were read out in court.

Gardner was charged with animal cruelty and resisting arrest. She is being held on $1,000 bond.