Atlanta - The Atlanta Falcons, already burned by animal cruelty from a standout player, released linebacker Prince Shembo after he was charged Friday with aggravated animal cruelty in his girlfriend's dog's death.
"We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Prince Shembo," the team said in a statement. "We are extremely disappointed that one of our players is involved in something like this. Accordingly, we have decided to waive Prince Shembo."
The Falcons parted ways with star quarterback Michael Vick after it was revealed in 2007 that Vick financed a dogfight ring and took part in brutal killings of dogs who did not perform well. Vick later returned to the NFL with Philadelphia.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Denicia Williams called police on April 19 saying Shembo had killed Dior, her Yorkshire Terrier.
Police said Williams took the dog with her on a visit to Shembo's home and left them unattended only to return and find the dog unresponsive. She told police that Shembo allegedly made comments to Williams about killing the dog the next day and she broke up with him.
Tests at a nearby animal shelter showed blunt force trauma as the cause of death, but the dog had suffered major internal injuries, including a fractured rib, fractured liver, abdominal haemorrhage, thoracic haemorrhage, extensive front leg and shoulder bruising and hemorrhage, head trauma, haemorrhage in the lungs, oesophagus, trachea and left eye.
Shembo, whose father came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1996, was a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in last year's NFL Draft. He played in all 16 games for Atlanta last year, making 59 tackles and starting three times.
AFP
