Actor and singer Tyrese Gibson has been arrested on an animal cruelty charge following a tragic incident involving one of his Cane Corso mastiffs.
According to TMZ, the arrest took place on Thursday, October 3, after the dog allegedly mauled a neighbor’s pet to death last month. The victim, a 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Henry, belonged to Harrison Parker, who described finding his dog lifeless in his backyard. “He was just a little pile of fluff,” Parker recalled, saying the body was covered in dog slobber.
Neighbors reportedly said it wasn’t unusual for Tyrese’s dogs to roam unsupervised in the Atlanta area. Fulton County Police Animal Services Captain Nicole Dwyer commented:
“It is the negligence on his part as the homeowner and animal owner, just letting them roam free. And now they have killed an innocent animal.”
Tyrese was booked early in the morning and released shortly after on a $20,000 bond. It remains unclear whether he turned himself in.
Ahead of the arrest, Tyrese’s attorney, Gabe Banks, issued a statement offering condolences to the Parker family.
“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,” he said.
Banks also confirmed that Tyrese had decided to rehome his dogs:
“Upon learning of this unfortunate accident, Mr. Gibson immediately made the difficult decision to rehome his dogs to a safe and loving environment.”
Addressing the legal case, 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.”
