Sabrina ColeOct 1, 2025 4 min read

Tyrese Gibson Fails to Turn Himself in After Neighbor’s Dog Killed

Tyrese Gibson participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss upcoming "The Fate of the Furious" film at AOL Studios on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Actor Tyrese Gibson has not yet turned himself in to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued following an incident in which his dogs allegedly killed a neighbor’s dog in Georgia. Gibson’s attorney says the actor is cooperating fully and is getting his affairs in order, expressing remorse for the incident.

On September 18, one or more of Gibson’s Cane Corso mastiffs reportedly attacked a neighbor’s small dog, resulting in the pet’s death. This shocking incident has raised concerns over the safety of the neighborhood and the responsibility of pet owners, particularly those with large and potentially dangerous breeds.

Authorities had previously received multiple complaints about Gibson’s dogs roaming freely over the past several months. Residents reported seeing the dogs unsupervised in the streets of the upscale neighborhood, sparking safety concerns and prompting repeated warnings from police.

Despite these warnings, a search of Gibson’s property on September 22 found the actor and his dogs were not present. Shortly after, an arrest warrant for alleged misdemeanor animal cruelty was issued. Gibson was asked to surrender to authorities by a set deadline, but he has not yet done so.


Attorney Statement and Actor’s Cooperation

Gibson’s attorney confirmed that the actor is cooperating fully with authorities. The attorney stated that Gibson is remorseful over the death of the neighbor’s dog and has taken steps to ensure the mastiffs are rehomed to prevent any further incidents.

“Mr. Gibson is fully committed to resolving this matter responsibly,” the attorney said. “He extends his deepest condolences to the family who lost their beloved pet.”


Community Safety Concerns

Police have emphasized that public safety remains their top priority. Large, uncontrolled dogs can pose serious risks to both animals and people, including children. Officers expressed concern about the repeated reports of Gibson’s dogs roaming freely in the neighborhood.

“Our primary focus is the safety of the community,” authorities said. “When large dogs are running loose and harming other animals, it raises a significant concern for what could happen next.”

Residents have voiced unease about the ongoing situation, calling for stricter enforcement of local pet regulations and more accountability from owners of potentially dangerous dogs.


Neighbor’s Perspective and Tragic Loss

The neighbor whose dog was killed described the heartbreaking discovery. The small pet, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Henry, had been secured in the yard with an invisible fence. Moments after being let out to play, the dog was found dead in the driveway.

Henry’s family mourns the loss, recalling the dog as gentle and loving. “Not hearing him around, it’s just awful,” the neighbor said. “He was one of the sweetest dogs, and to have him killed in this way is indescribable.”

The incident has sparked broader conversations about the responsibilities of dog owners, especially for large and potentially aggressive breeds, and the importance of preventing similar tragedies in neighborhoods.


Legal Implications

Animal cruelty charges carry significant legal consequences, even if the act was unintentional. Authorities indicated that failure to comply with an arrest warrant could result in additional penalties for Gibson. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, focusing on whether proper precautions were taken to secure the dogs and prevent them from endangering other pets or people.


Next Steps

As the legal process unfolds, police stress that the rehoming of the dogs and the actor’s cooperation are important steps toward resolving the matter. The community remains vigilant, and authorities continue to monitor the neighborhood to ensure no further incidents occur.

This case highlights the broader issues surrounding responsible pet ownership, especially in neighborhoods with large, powerful dog breeds. It also underscores the legal and ethical obligations owners have to protect both their pets and those of their neighbors.

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