Thomas Tapley

Name:
Tapley, Thomas Wayne

Date of Booking:
09/27/2025

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 September 27, 2025, at approximately 1730 hours, I, Dep. Pearson, was dispatched to [200 BLOCK] Spring Chase Circle in reference to a report of possible animal cruelty.

Upon arrival, I made contact with [VICTIM #1], one of the owners of the cat in question. [VICTIM #1] stated she had recently noticed the cat was missing. She advised that Thomas, a tenant at the residence, had taken the cat inside, stating the cat was getting too hot outside. [VICTIM #1] said this was the last time she saw the cat and that she believed Thomas had killed it. [VICTIM #1] stated Thomas had a history of harming animals.

I then spoke with [VICTIM #2], the other owner of the cat. [VICTIM #2] stated that after noticing the cat was missing, he asked Thomas about its whereabouts. Thomas told him he had bathed the cat around 2300 hours on September 25, 2025, and released it outside the next morning. [VICTIM #2] advised that Thomas stated he never saw the cat return.

Later that day, [VICTIM #2] found a Walmart plastic bag in the outdoor trash can. Inside the bag, he discovered his deceased cat, still wet. He confronted Thomas, who then claimed the cat had been attacked by their gray pit bull and suffered a broken neck.

I awaited another unit before interviewing Thomas due to knowledge of him having access to firearms and knowing of our presence.

When Dep. Stephens arrived on scene, we interviewed Thomas, who confirmed that he had bathed the cat and placed it in a closet to dry, stating that the cat typically stayed there. He claimed the pit bull attacked the cat while it was in the closet. Thomas said he intervened to separate them. When asked why he did not inform [VICTIM #1] or [VICTIM #2] about the cat’s death, Thomas stated he was afraid of how [VICTIM #2] would react. While Thomas was speaking with Deputy Stephens, he disclosed having a history of harming cats.

I also spoke with [WITNESS #1], Thomas’s girlfriend. [WITNESS #1] stated she did not witness the incident directly, as she was asleep. She reported being awakened by a commotion and believed she heard a cat and a dog fighting. [WITNESS #1] said Thomas later explained what had happened, but emphasized she had no direct knowledge of the incident.

Thomas later informed me that [VICTIM #1] and [VICTIM #2] gifted the cat to him and [WITNESS #1]. I asked [VICTIM #2] and [VICTIM #1] if this was in fact true, to which they responded no.

When Cpl. West arrived on scene, we examined the cat’s body. There were no visible puncture wounds, lacerations, or evidence of a broken neck. It was obvious the cat had been deceased for more than a few hours by the odor and the stiffening caused by rigor mortis.

I observed multiple fresh cuts and scratches on Thomas’s left arm and hand. Thomas claimed the injuries occurred while separating the cat and the dog. Dep Stephens examined the pit bull and found no visible wounds, aside from old marks likely sustained during previous fights with other dogs on the property.

Based on the inconsistencies in Thomas’s statements, the absence of injuries consistent with a fatal dog attack, the condition of the cat’s body, and the fact that it was found concealed in a plastic bag in the trash, I have probable cause to believe that Thomas intentionally drowned the cat.

I informed Thomas he was under arrest and asked him to place his hands behind his back. Handcuffs were placed around Thomas’ wrist, checked for proper fit, and double locked. Thomas was escorted to my patrol car and secured in the backseat. I transported Thomas to the Houston County Detention Center without incident. Thomas was then turned over to the detention center staff for further processing.

I will be seeking a warrant for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in connection with this case.

Photographs were taken of the deceased cat, and the injuries to Thomas’s arm.

[End of Narrative]