BUFORD – Atlanta Falcons linebacker Prince Shembo turned himself in to Gwinnett County Police Friday.
Police spokeswoman Corporal Michele Pihera said that an arrest warrant had been obtained for the 23-year-old football player as the result of investigation into the death of his former girlfriend’s pet Yorkshire Terrier on April 15th.
According to Pihera, 20-year-old Denica Williams notified Gwinnett Police that Shembo had killed her dog, Dior.
The incident happened at Shembo’s home at the Century at Mill Creek Apartments.
"While she was there she left her dog unattended with her boyfriend (Shembo)," Pihera explained.
"And when she came back to meet with her dog she found him unresponsive. That's when she took her dog to the nearest animal hospital for evaluation and treatment," Pihera said.
Shortly afterwards Dior died.
Williams said in her complaint that Shembo made comments to her the day after the animal's death that he had kicked the diminutive canine.
The body of the dog was taken to the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter to undergo a necropsy. The University of Georgia assisted with the investigation, as well.
Results of the necropsy were made available on Thursday, May 28th and it was determined that Dior had significant internal injuries and the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
An arrest warrant for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals was obtained Friday for Shembo. At the time
"When the detective tried calling him on his phone," Pihers said, "he didn't answer. So we then made contact with the Atlanta Falcons to let them know there is a warrant for his arrest." Shembo turned himself in later that day.
Atlanta media outlets are reporting that the Falcons waived Shembo this afternoon.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/5/313520/falcon-lb-wanted-for-aggravated-animal-cruelty