UPDATE: Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson was booked on a charge of animal cruelty Friday in Georgia and released on a $20,000 bond, according to authorities.
An attorney for Gibson said his client “has cooperated fully with legal authorities and will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.”
EARLIER: An arrest warrant has been issued for Fast & Furious star Tyrese Gibson in Georgia, after a neighbor in the Buckhead area of Atlanta alleged that four of the actor’s dogs killed his own.
According to Fulton County Police Department reports obtained by Entertainment Weekly, one of Gibson’s neighbors from across the street, Harrison Parker, called 911 on Sept. 18, saying that four of the actor’s cane corso dogs were on the loose and had killed his own dog, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. The 5-year-old dog had died within five minutes of Parker letting it out into his front yard to go to the bathroom, he said, and he found it dead in his driveway.
Gibson’s dogs had been seen on camera “scratching at a door across the street minutes before the attack,” police said.
Authorities said that in the week and a half before the dog’s death, Gibson’s canines were reported “running loose on five occasions.” Capt. Nicole Dwyer, the commander of the Animal Services department, said Gibson had received multiple warnings.
On Sept. 22, police said, Gibson had agreed to surrender his dogs but then said he needed more time to make his decision. In response, Dwyer obtained a search warrant for Gibson’s property and an arrest warrant for alleged cruelty to animals. Police said they conducted a search of the property that night, but Gibson and the dogs were not on the premises.
Gibson’s lawyer Gabe Banks said in a statement provided to EW on Tuesday that Gibson had moved his dogs to a new home.
Everett Collection
“Mr. Tyrese Gibson extends his deepest condolences to the family who lost their beloved dog to this tragic incident that occurred while Mr. Gibson was away from his home,” the statement said. “Upon learning of this unfortunate accident, Mr. Gibson immediately made the difficult decision to rehome his dogs to a safe and loving environment.”
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Banks added, “Concerning the misdemeanor warrant, Mr. Gibson is cooperating fully with authorities to address and resolve this matter responsibly. Mr. Gibson asks for privacy and understanding as this matter is handled through the appropriate legal channels, and as he remains committed to the safety of his community and the well-being of all animals.”
Gibson, 46, is known not only for his appearances in the blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise, but for movies including Baby Boy and Transformers, and his work as a singer and model.
