Tavion Thomas

Name:
THOMAS, TAVION LEONTA

Date of Booking:
05/19/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

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 Monday, May 19, 2025 at approximately 1259 hours, Deputy Jeff Riggins responded to Animal Control in reference to a report of animal cruelty. Upon arrival Deputy Riggins made contact with [WITNESS #1] in reference to the incident.

[WITNESS #1] stated he was sent to [100 BLOCK] Gaines Bouie Road in reference to collecting a stray dog. When he arrived, [WITNESS #1] stated he made contact with Tavion Thomas and was given the animal. [WITNESS #1] notified Deputies upon arriving at the Animal Control Office. The dog had a wire cable around it’s neck and the cable was embedded in the animal’s neck. Deputy Riggins took pictures of the injuries to the dog. [WITNESS #1] stated Tavion claimed the dog was a stray, but he received word the dog actually belonged to Tavion. The wounds to the dog’s neck had started to smell.

Deputy Riggins responded to [100 BLOCK] Gaines Bouie Rd and made contact with Tavion. Tavion admitted the dog belonged to him. Tavion stated when the dog was a puppy he followed Tavion around so he kept the dog. The dog started breaking collars so Tavion stated he tied the cable around the dog’s neck to keep it in the yard. Tavion stated the cable was on the dog’s neck for seven or more days. Tavion stated he did not notice how bad the injuries were but did not intentionally want to harm the dog. Deputy Riggins placed Tavion under arrest for misdemeanor animal cruelty and transported him without incident to the Decatur County Jail.

[WITNESS #1] sent pictures of the injuries to the dog’s neck after removing the cable. There was a deep laceration to the back of the dog’s neck.

[End of Narrative]