Atlanta Falcons linebacker Prince Shembo has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after allegedly kicking his then-girlfriends dog to death.
Shembo’s now-ex-girlfriend, Denicia Williams, 20, called police on April 19, four days after her Yorkie was found at Shembo’s place limp and unresponsive.
She said that she had left the dog alone with the 23-year-old linebacker, and when she came back and found the dog in that state, she took it to the hospital, but it was too late.
The next day, Shembo admitted to kicking the dog, and she broke up with him.
However, police obtained a warrant for Shembo after they found “inconsistencies” in what he said happened and what the autopsy of the dog revealed.
According to the warrant, the dog had “a fractured rib, fractured liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising / hemorrhage in muscles in front leg and shoulders, head trauma, hemorrhage and edema in lungs, hemorrhage between the esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in the left eye with internal injuries.”
Shembo now faced between 1 and 5 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $15,000.
The Falcon acted quickly to distance the team from the incident, releasing this statement: “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.”
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