An East Merrick woman who brought her cat into a Starbucks was arrested for punching an officer, police say.

Police say they were called to the store on Merrick Avenue in Merrick Wednesday afternoon after Michelle Peltz refused to leave.

The business asked Peltz, who had her cat in a crate, to leave but she would not. When they arrived, they ordered her to walk out, and she punched one of the officers in the eye.

Following a brief struggle, Peltz was arrested.

The officer who was punched also injured his hand and was taken to the hospital.