A 38-year-old Florida mother is facing a felony charge after her estranged husband turned over home surveillance footage to deputies, authorities said. Malia Elizabeth Nummerdor of the Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area was arrested September 15, 2026, on one count of sexual activity involving an animal, a second-degree felony under Florida law.
The case drew widespread online attention because of the unusual evidence video from cameras her husband, Erik Nummerdor, said he installed to catch someone taking money from a coin jar. While reviewing bedroom recordings, he told investigators he found footage involving the family dog, identified as Ranger. He provided screenshots and laptop access to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives reviewed the material. A detective wrote in the arrest affidavit that images showed an adult female, identified as Malia, “nude from the waist down, positioned with the dog in a manner consistent with sexual activity.” Nummerdor confirmed she was the person in the video and that the dog was the family pet, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. She denied any sexual conduct, saying she had been “lying with and petting her elderly dog near its bed.” Investigators said her explanation of her position and the dog’s placement was inconsistent with the recording. She then requested an attorney, ending the interview.
Sheriff Bill Prummell issued a statement saying he was “at a loss for words” and that “no animal should ever be subjected to this kind of conduct.” Bond was set at $35,000. Nummerdor has been released and faces a reported court date of October 19, 2026. The charge has not been dropped.
Florida Statute 828.126 makes sexual activity involving animals a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison if convicted. An arrest and charge are allegations. Nummerdor has not been convicted, and the case remains pending.
Nummerdor has maintained the allegations are untrue and has claimed she was framed by her estranged husband amid their separation. Friends launched an online fundraiser seeking about $30,000 for legal expenses and living costs for her and her two sons, who were reportedly displaced. The campaign states it is not asking donors to decide the facts of the case. Early reports showed minimal donations, and the page later appeared removed or difficult to locate.
The dog’s current status has not been detailed in official statements. Readers should watch for the October 19 hearing and any updates from court records.
