ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons have announced that the team has waived linebacker Prince Shembo after charges were filed against him alleging he killed his girlfriend’s dog.
The Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Michele Pihera said Shembo was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, following an April 15 incident.
From FoxSports: “Denicia Williams called police on April 19 to report that her ex-boyfriend had killed her dog, Gwinnett County police said in a news release Friday. Williams told police she had taken her Yorkie, Dior, to Shembo’s apartment on April 15. At some point, she left Shembo alone with the dog, and when she found the dog later he was unresponsive.
Williams took the dog to an animal hospital where he died a short time later. Shembo told her over the phone the next day that he had kicked the dog, and she ended their relationship, Williams told police.”
Shembo told the girlfriend that he might leave the country because he knew how much prison time he could get for animal cruelty.
The dog suffered extensive injuries, including a fractured rib, abdominal hemorrhage, head trauma, eye injuries and extensive bruising in the muscles of his front leg and shoulders.
Police said an investigator contacted the Falcons to let them know about the warrant.
From the Falcons: “We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Prince Shembo. We are extremely disappointed that one of our players is involved in something like this. Accordingly, we have decided to waive Prince Shembo.”
