Taleel Stevens

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Name:
Stevens, Taleel Aaron

Date of Booking:
08/03/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated 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 7/15/26 I, ACO Register, was dispatched to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] at 1423hrs, this city, in reference to an emaciated stray dog. Once in scene I attempted contact at [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Mr. [WITNESS #1] answered the door. Mr. [WITNESS #1] advised that there were no dogs on the property and that he did not own any dogs. While speaking with him, Mr. [WITNESS #2], the reporting party, was pointing towards the back yard and advised the dog was there. With Mr. [WITNESS #1] permission, I entered the back yard to observe the dog.

I observed the dog to be extremely emaciated. She could not stand on her own nor walk. I observed her to be tethered to an iron pole behind a vehicle. I did not observe any adequate shelter for her, nor fresh food or water. She was in deplorable condition. Due to being tethered, I inquired with Mr. [WITNESS #1] again on whether any dogs should be on the property and showed him a photo of the dog. He still denied and advised he did not recognize the dog. Mr. [WITNESS #2] advised he has been cutting the grass for a year every two weeks and has never seen the dog before.

I made contact with Ms. [WITNESS #3] by phone. She advised she was Mr. [WITNESS #1] sister. She advised that no dogs should be on the property and that herself and Ms. [WITNESS #4] (Mr. [WITNESS #1]’ wife) were on the property recently in the backyard picking up trash and did not see any animals. She advised his daughter, Ms. [WITNESS #5], did have a dog on the property recently but that it should not be there anymore. She then provided me with the contact information for Ms. [WITNESS #4] and advised she had no information for Ms. [WITNESS #5].

I contacted [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (who requested to remain anonymous), by phone and inquired whether there should be dogs on the property. She advised Ms. [WITNESS #5] had a dog but that it has been gone from the property. When asked if it was a brown and white dog, she advised it was. I sent [REDACTED BY AGENCY] a photo of the dog and she confirmed that it was the same dog that belonged to his daughter but that she had not seen the dog recently.

While on the phone with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Ms. [WITNESS #4] arrived to the property. I exited and inquired about a dog and she advised that no dogs should be here. When I told her there was a dog here, she said her daughter had dropped of her personal dog at the house yesterday.

We both entered the backyard and approached the dog. She called the dog “Duchess” and she perked up and attempted to stand. She then asked, “how did you get out your kennel?”. Ms. [WITNESS #4] advised she was not aware the dog was in this condition and that she did belong to her daughter. Ms. [WITNESS #4] began taking her off the leash and attempting to pick her up. Duchess fell down as soon as she tried to walk. I immediately advised her the dog would be coming with me due to the reprehensible condition she was in. I picked Duchess up and she began urinating on me due to the pressure I applied to her abdomen.

I placed Duchess in my assigned vehicle and provided her with water. I inquired with Ms. [WITNESS #4] about her daughters whereabouts or a way to contact her. She advised me that she did “not have time for this” and became very uncooperative. I requested for assistance from a unit at that moment.

Officer Lance Slater arrived on scene and was able to obtain some information from Ms. [WITNESS #4] and will be doing a supplement.

I transported Duchess to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] for immediate care. Upon examination, it was discovered that she had an [REDACTED BY AGENCY] as well as inside wounds on her [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. She also had sores on her hip area and a wound on her tail. Wounds with maggots were also present on her bottom lip, hidden by the top. The maggots had also become embedded into her skin in some areas. Dr. [REDACTED] advised that many of the areas would need surgery to successfully remove the maggots. Dr. [REDACTED] attempted for almost forty-five minutes to remove the maggots but was unsuccessful due to the seemingly infinite amount present.

Per Dr. [REDACTED]’s notes, there is concern for New World Screwworm due to the aggressive nature of the infestation. Duchess also weighed in at twenty-two pounds. Myself and Dr. [REDACTED] agreed that she should be in the forty-five pound range. Duchess was [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and was a 1/9 on the body condition score chart for the American Animal Hospital Association. She was scored a 1/5 on the muscle condition score chart as well. She was severely dehydrated.

Initially, Dr. [REDACTED] recommended Duchess staying overnight at an ER vet to receive fluids. However, she later determined that due to the numerous amount of medical issues Duchess was facing, humane euthanasia was a more suitable conclusion to not prolong her suffering. She was euthanized and transported to Warner Robins Animal Shelter and placed in a holding freezer.

A location of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was found in RMS for Ms. [WITNESS #5]. I spoke with the leasing office who confirmed Ms. [WITNESS #5] still resides there. I will be attempting contact 7/16 with her.

Later that night while investigating further, a post was located on Ms. [WITNESS #4]’s facebook page [REDACTED] from 02/14/26 that read, “Looking to re-home a dog she is 1 years old sweet lil pit”. In the comment section, Ms. [WITNESS #4] replied back to a comment with a photo of Duchess. She was an adequate weight and did not appear to be suffering any apparent medical issues. She was tethered to what looks like a trailer by a camoflauge leash. The leash in the photo is the same leash that she was tethered with this date.

Dispatch received a call on 2/17/26 from Mr. [WITNESS #1] stating his wife abandoned a dog and that he wanted it removed. ACO Trischan spoke with him by phone and advised he was considered an owner of the dog as well and that animal control could not remove the dog. No description was provided on this specific dog and ACO Trischan did not physically see it.

Photos will be uploaded to RMS as well as veterinarian notes.

[End of Narrative]

All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.

Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case History:

8/13/26

DEFENSE ATTORNEY ASSIGNED — STEPHEN T. SMITH APPOINTED FOR TALEEL AARON STEVENS

What this means: Taleel Aaron Stevens, who is charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in Houston County Superior Court (Case No. 2026C0065281A), has been assigned a public defender. Stephen T. Smith of the Houston County Office of the Public Defender is now the attorney of record representing Stevens in this case.

8/13/26

MOTION FOR BOND AND DESIGNATION OF DISCOVERY FILED ON BEHALF OF TALEEL AARON STEVENS

What this means: Defense attorney Stephen T. Smith filed two requests with the Houston County Superior Court on the same day he was assigned to the case. First, he filed a Motion for Bond asking the court to set a reasonable bail amount so that Taleel Aaron Stevens — who is currently held in the Houston County jail — can be released while the case moves forward. The motion argues that Stevens does not pose a flight risk, is not a danger to any person or property, and is not likely to re-offend or intimidate witnesses. The defense is asking that a bond hearing be placed on the next available bond calendar. Second, the filing includes a Designation of Discovery, in which Stevens, through attorney Smith, elected to participate in reciprocal discovery. This means both sides — the defense and the prosecution — have agreed to share evidence with each other under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-16-2). This agreement applies even though the case had not yet been formally indicted or accused as of the filing date.