ARLINGTON, Wash. (AP) - A woman accused of dipping into her ex-husband's bank account without permission blames her dog.

Arlington, Wash., police spokeswoman Kristin Banfield says detectives filed court orders to follow the money trail. They learned the money disappearing from the 42-year-old Arlington man's account was being used to pay for utility bills and other sundry items at his ex-wife's home.

Banfield tells The Herald that the woman's first response was, "Her dog got into her purse and ate all her personal checks." The 50-year-old woman reportedly told police she had no choice but to take money from her former husband's account.

The spokeswoman says other excuses were offered as well. The women is under investigation for identity theft and forgery and Arlington police have forwarded the case to Snohomish County prosecutors.