Written by: E. George
Published September 24, 2023 @ 9:20 PM ET
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. – A 36-year-old Warner Robins man was arrested on August 18, 2023, after calling law enforcement when he found his French bulldog deceased in his vehicle. Dominique Jamal Holcomb told the Warner Robins Police officer and animal control employee that he left the dog in his car while he got a haircut and “thought the dog would be okay.”
Holcomb said he left the windows rolled down and placed a bowl of water for him in the car. However, when the officer found the bowl on the floor behind the driver’s seat, it was “bone dry.”
Holcomb explained that he was inside the Watson Boulevard establishment for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The officer noted, “The heat index at the time was 87 degrees.”
The officer saw that the dog was deceased in the front passenger seat. Holcomb said he initially thought he was sleeping and had hoped “Animal control could save the dog” when he called.
The officer transported Holcomb to the Warner Robins Police Department, where he was charged with animal cruelty. This case is currently pending in court.
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 081823 at 1055 hrs. I, Ofc. Houck, was dispatched to 1306 Watson Blvd. in reference to cruelty to animals. Upon arrival, I spoke with Animal Control Officer, Holden Trischan.
Ofc. Trischan advised around 1050 hrs. this date he was dispatched to this address to speak with Dominque Holcomb. Ofc. Trischan stated Mr. Holcomb went into 1306 Watson Blvd around 1000 hrs. this date to get a haircut. Ofc. Trischan stated Mr. Holcomb stated when he came out around forty five minutes to an hour later he noticed his brown and black French Bulldog was dead in the front passenger seat. Ofc. Trischan stated he wanted Mr. Holcomb charged with cruelty to animals.
I told Mr. Holcomb he was being arrested for cruelty to animals. I read Mr. Holcomb his Miranda Rights and he did state he would talk to me without a lawyer present. Mr. Holcomb stated he left the windows down and left some water in a bowl and thought the dog would be ok. Mr. Holcomb stated when he came out he thought the dog was sleeping and attempted to wake it up. Mr. Holcomb then realized the dog was dead and called 911. Mr. Holcomb was hoping Animal Control could save the dog.
The dog was in the front passenger seat laying on its stomach with its head towards the seat. The dog was deceased. The water bowl was behind the driver seat on the floor board and appeared to be bone dry. The heat index at the time was eighty seven degrees. I took photographs of the scene. Ofc. Trischan took possession of the dog. I placed Mr. Holcomb into custody and transported him to the Warner Robins P.D. to be processed. I will put the pictures in as evidence. I will obtain an arrest warrant on the next available date.
[End of Narrative]