Shawn Grindle

Name:
Grindle, Shawn

Date of Booking:
09/12/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

ABANDONMENT OF DOGS

ABANDONMENT OF DOGS

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On September 12, 2025, at approximately 11:30 am I, Sergeant [Sgt.] King, conducted an interview with Shawn Grindle [Suspect 1]. Prior to meeting with suspect 1, I secured my weapon in a gun lockbox, I brought my phone into the interview, obtained a water bottle for suspect 1, and obtained all necessary paperwork for the interview. The interview was recorded by body camera and interview camera.

Upon meeting suspect 1, I introduced myself and Deputy Marshal First Class [DMFC] Orzechowski. Prior to the interview I explained to suspect 1 that he was not under arrest, and he was free to go at any time. At this time, I did not have a warrant for the arrest of suspect 1.

Before I asked suspect 1 any questions I read him, his Miranda Rights. Suspect 1 signed the Miranda Rights form and agreed to speak with DMFC Orzechowski and myself. Miranda Rights were placed into evidence. I explained to suspect 1 that the interview room was not locked, he could leave at any point of time, I explained where the bathroom was, and I explained to suspect 1 that the water bottle was for him.

Suspect 1 explained to me that the paperwork that he had was from the vet for his dogs that he has. I asked if I could look through the paperwork and suspect 1 indicated I could. Suspect 1 indicated that he took pictures of the dogs he owns before he left. I asked suspect 1 if he could send the picture to me, which he did.

I begin to ask suspect 1 questions about the two dogs Hercules and Belle. I asked suspect 1 if he had ever heard of a dog named Hercules or Belle, and he indicated no. Suspect 1 began to explain to me that he knew of the two dogs he showed in the picture [two different dogs]. I asked if Amanda Grindle [suspect 2] ever owned a dog named Belle or Hercules and suspect 1 stated no. Suspect 1 stated names of other dogs that suspect 1 and suspect 2 owned.

Suspect 1 indicated that Wednesday was suspect 1 and suspect 2 anniversary [15 years]. I asked if they have lived together that entire time and suspect 1 stated yes sir. I asked what was the last known address that they lived at and was advised by suspect 1 that it was [200 BLOCK] Moores Mill Lane. Suspect 1 stated they were kicked out on the first. Suspect 1 stated they have been there for almost 8 years. I asked suspect 1 how many people lived there and he indicated that he [suspect 1], his mother, his nieces and nephews, his wife [suspect 2], and his three kids.

I explained to suspect 1 how the incident came about. I explained about a phone conversation that was recorded from a jail call about the two dogs. I explained to suspect one what part of the recorded conversation stated. I explained the location where the dogs were [Salacoa Road] and suspect 1 stated he did not know where that was at. Salacoa Road is in close proximity to Moores Mill Lane.

I showed and explained to suspect 1, two photos. These photos are pictures of Belle and Hercules taken at the Cherokee County Animal Shelter. I asked suspect 1 if both dogs looked familiar to him [as he looked at each picture] and he stated no. I explained to suspect 1 that I did some comparisons to the photos from the shelter and photos found on suspect 2 Facebook page. Some of these photos I was able to locate and others that I was provided with were verified by me as being on the Facebook page of suspect 2.

I showed suspect 1 a photo of what appeared to be the front porch area of [200 BLOCK] Moores Mill Lane, and it appeared to be him sitting down in the picture. I asked suspect 1 if that was him in the picture and he indicated yes by stating correct.

I began to show suspect 1 several photos that were located of both dogs. I showed him how I was able to match the dogs from the shelter pictures and pictures on Facebook. I also showed him how I was able to show the dogs were at the residence with pictures from Facebook. I explained Facebook pictures that had Belle’s and Hercules name in the picture caption. There was also a post on Amanda’s Facebook that stated they had been married for 11 years.

I asked suspect 1 if he knew them [Belle and Hercules] and he indicated he knew them [Belle and Hercules]. I asked suspect 1 if he could tell me what was going on with Belle and Hercules and suspect 1 indicated the following. He indicated that when they found out they had to move they did not want the dogs to be put down. Suspect 1 indicated that they had tried everything to get rid of them [Belle and Hercules]. Suspect 1 indicated that he had tried to take them to the shelter, but the shelter would not take them because they are full.

Suspect 1 admitted that he just let them lose [Belle and Hercules] outside of their home [200 BLOCK] Moores Mill Lane. Suspect 1 stated he let them outside and they [Belle and Hercules] took off. Suspect 1 indicated that he did not drop off the dogs. I explained to suspect 1 that Belle and Hercules were considered abandoned property, [because of the timeframe allotted by county ordinance].

I asked suspect 1 when was the last time Hercules had been to the vet and suspect 1 indicated he thinks that he [Hercules] has never been. I asked when the last time Belle had been to the vet and suspect 1 stated when she was first born. Suspect 1 indicated that Belle is 7 or 8 [years old]. I explained to suspect 1 that there are some teeth issues with one of the dogs. I explained that the shelter report indicated that a tooth was cracked in half and was painful.

Suspect 1 indicated that suspect 2 knew who Belle and Hercules is and that suspect 1 and suspect 2 lived together for a while. At this point I placed suspect 1 under arrest. I advised suspect 1 that he was under arrest and to place his hands behind his back. I explained to suspect 1 that he is going to jail for animal cruelty.

At this point, Deputy Marshal First Class Orzechowski went and put on his duty gear. Suspect 1 indicated that suspect 2 was not involved in the abandonment of Belle and Hercules. Based on this information I decided not to include charges for Amanda related to the abandonment of both dogs.

After securing suspect 1 with handcuffs, Deputy Marshal First Class Orzechowski resecured him with his handcuffs.

Warrant CE0142844 was taken for Shawn Grindle for 1 count of 16-12-4(d) Aggravated Animal Cruelty [Felony], 3 counts of 16-12-4(b) Cruelty to Animals [Misdemeanors] and 2 counts of 4-11-15.1 Abandonment of Domesticated Animals [Misdemeanors].

Warrant CE0142845 was taken for Amanda Grindle for 1 count of 16-12-4(d) Aggravated Animal Cruelty [Felony] and 1 count of 16-12-4(b) Cruelty to Animals [Misdemeanor].

[End of Narrative]