Dogs Attack Pet, Leading to Arrest Warrant Issued

Highlights

• Incident: Tyrese Gibson is being sought by police regarding a dog attack that resulted in a neighbor’s dog dying.
• Charges: An arrest warrant has been issued for Gibson on animal cruelty charges.
• Surveillance: Footage shows Gibson’s dogs near the scene of the incident shortly before it occurred.
• Response: Gibson’s legal team states he was not home during the attack and is cooperating with the investigation.

The Fulton County Police is reportedly looking for Tyrese Gibson in connection with an incident involving his dogs. Captain Nicole Dwyer confirmed to local outlet WSB-TV on September 29 that its Animal Services division issued an arrest warrant for the actor. Gibson faces an animal cruelty charge, given that a neighbor’s dog died.

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Police Cite Surveillance Footage In Dog Attack

The incident reportedly happened in Buckhead, Atlanta–where Tyrese lives. On that day, Harrison Parker let his dog Henry out in the yard, which was guarded by an invisible, electronic fence. A few minutes later, Parker returned and his 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was dead. To Parker, it appeared as if another animal had attacked their family pet. Related documents of the incident, per WSB-TV, said Henry had puncture marks and severe internal bleeding.

“I found my dog dead in my driveway,” Parker said. “Not hearing him around, it’s just awful. He was one of the sweetest dogs and to have him get murdered is, it’s indescribable.”

Captain Dwyer has also confirmed that footage from another neighbor’s doorbell camera shows Tyrese Gibson’s dogs near the incident site minutes before it happened. Apparently, the dogs were scratching at a door across the street before going after Henry. After killing the smaller pet, Tyrese Gibson’s dogs moved to another home. Eventually, a female neighbor called 911 because the pets had blocked access to her car. Animal control officers later safely escorted her after arriving on the scene. 

Recent Incidents Involving Gibson’s Dogs

WSB-TV reports that there have been at least five incidents involving Tyrese Gibson’s dogs roaming free. And they all happened in the week and a half leading up to Henry’s death.

Neighbors had witnessed the alleged sightings, and one even told the outlet that the dogs’ size was unbelievable. “They were each over 100 pounds,” the neighbor reportedly said.

The pets involved in the attack are reportedly of the Cane Corso breed, which is often used as a guard dog for humans and livestock. The American Kennel Club describes them as “smart, trainable…assertive and confident…peerless protector.” And the neighbor who described them above is absolutely correct! Per the AKC, Cane Corso dogs typically weigh more than 100 pounds and appear intimidating with large heads and muscles rippling through their bodies.

“Corsi are intelligent, loyal, eager to please, versatile, and intensely loyal to their humans, but are also assertive and willful, and can end up owning an unwitting owner. As with any other big guardian dog, responsible breeding and early socialization with people and other dogs is vital,” the AKC’s website says.

It’s unclear whether Gibson has taken the care to socialize his Corsi. However, Captain Dwyer told the press that Tyrese had been given multiple warnings about the pets roaming free after the recent sightings.

How Is Tyrese Reacting To The Deadly Dog Attack? 

WSB-TV and CBS report that local police executed a search warrant for Tyrese’s home on September 22. When cops first arrived, Tyrese allegedly told them he would surrender his dogs. Then, he reportedly asked for a few extra days to decide. However, Captain Dwyer informed him they would obtain a search warrant if he didn’t comply with the surrender. He allegedly refused to obey, and the department moved to secure the search warrant, plus an arrest warrant for cruelty to animals.

When cops returned that same evening to execute both warrants, Tyrese Gibson and his dogs were gone. 

“It is the negligence on his part as the homeowner and animal owner, just letting them roam free,” Captain Dwyer said Monday, per WSB-TV. “And now they have killed an innocent animal.”

Speaking to WSB-TV, Captain Dwyer mentioned that her department noted an Instagram post Gibson shared on September 27. In it, he claimed to be on a mental health break in Dubai until November. Now, it appears that’s not the case, though he’s not in Atlanta. 

Following news of his arrest warrant, Tyrese took to Instagram on Tuesday (September 30) to share home footage of his dogs. In the video, which featured another dog breed, the pets were lovingly interacting with one another and their owner.

Meanwhile, the audio on the clip was from ‘The Breakfast Club’ hosts speaking on the case. One host, Loren Lorosa, said she had exclusively spoken to the singer and he denied being “on the run.” Instead, he claimed to be visiting his family in Los Angeles. He also denied that he’s headed to Dubai. 

Additionally, his legal counsel provided a statement on CBS, saying Tyrese “extends his deepest condolences to the family who lost their beloved dog to this tragic incident…” The statement also claims that Gibson was not home when the attack happened and is fully cooperating with authorities.

“Upon learning of this unfortunate accident, Mr. Gibson immediately made the difficult decision to rehome his dogs to a safe and loving environment,” the statement said.

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