Tyrese Gibson was arrested Friday in Fulton County for his cane corso mastiffs killing a neighbor’s dog in a fatal encounter, which has led to cruel charges of the animal.
The 45-year-old actor and R&B singer was booked at 5:59 a.m. local time and was released shortly after the release of a $20,000 margin, according to county jail records.
The allegations stem from the September 18 incident where Gibson’s dog attacked and killed a 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the backyard of the smaller dog.
Surveillance footage captured Gibson’s four large dogs, roaming around neighbor’s doors and paws before the deadly attack. Henry’s owner found the dog’s body that night soaked in saliva.
View this post on Instagram
The owner said Gibson’s dog had a history of wandering the area without a tow.
Fulton County Animal Services Captain Nicole Dwyer confirmed that within 10 days before the incident, Gibson’s dog had five separate complaints.
“It was his negligence as a homeowner and animal owner, just letting them roam freely,” Dewell said. “Now they killed an innocent animal.”
Gibson initially agreed to surrender the dogs on September 22, but when the officer arrived, he asked for more time. Police warned that if he did not comply, they would get a search warrant. When they returned, Gibson and the dog were not at home.
Gibson denied avoiding the authorities through his representatives. Allhiphop reports that Gibson claimed he was in Los Angeles with his family and the legal team.
“Tyres wants everyone to know he is not running away,” his representative said. “He said he is in Los Angeles with his family and his attorney is working on it all.”
His legal team issued a statement expressing sympathy for the losses.
“Mr. Tyrese Gibson hopes to express his deepest condolences to the family who lost his beloved dog in this tragic event,” the statement said. “His heart is indeed broken, and he has been constantly praying for the family, hoping that they will find forgiveness in their hearts one day.”
Although Gibson left the city at the time of the attack, his lawyer said he was fully responsible.
“Once he learned what was going on, he immediately made an incredibly difficult decision to relocate his two adult dogs and three puppies in a safe and loving house,” the statement continued. “It was too much responsibility to keep them in his heart and he couldn’t help but think of something like this.”
The case adds a series of legal issues to Gibson. In September 2024, he was sentenced to jail for failing to pay more than $73,000 in child support to his ex-wife Samantha Lee Gibson.
A Fulton County judge despised the court and was released after agreeing to settle the overdue payment.
Gibson also struggled with nearly $500,000 in unpaid legal fees for divorce, according to court documents from his ex-wife’s legal team.
First recognized by R&B artists in the late 1990s, the Fast and Furious star has faced ongoing financial and legal troubles since he separated from Lee Gibson in 2020. The two shared a little daughter.
Fulton County’s animal cruelty cases are still open. The court date has not been announced.
