Michael Goerling

Name:
Goerling, Michael Alan

Date of Booking:
09/08/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

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 9/8/25 at 1125 hours I was notified by Animal Control Officer Simmons 804 of a deceased dog at [100 BLOCK] Briarwind Ct. I arrived on scene and made contact with Officer Simmons who stated the complainant, [WITNESS #1], stated she heard a dog in the backyard of [100 BLOCK] Briarwind Ct yelping. She stated she heard a thud and a dog cry. She looked through her window and observed her neighbors, Michael Goerling and Bruce Riley, standing in the backyard. She stated Mr. Goerling was hugging Mr. Riley. Mr. Riley was holding an ax in his hand.

Officer Simmons stated he conducted a welfare check at the residence on the dog. Mr. Goerling spoke to Officer Simmons who observed a dog in the house, and everything appeared to be in order. Officer Simmons conducted a follow up with Mrs. [WITNESS #1] who stated she could see the dog in the backyard. Officer Simmons looked over the fence into the backyard of Mr. Goerling and observed a deceased dog partly under a bush.

Officer Simmons and I made contact with Mr. Goerling in reference to the second dog that he failed to mention previously. Mr. Goerling allowed us to check the dog in the backyard. Officer Simmons inspected the dog and determined it died from blunt force trauma to the head. A log splitting axe was observed in the backyard near the dog. The axe had blood on the handle. I asked Mr. Goerling about the dog, and he stated the dog fell down the stairs and broke its back. Mr. Goerling stated he did not know anything else.

S/CPL C. Roberts 156 arrived on scene and was briefed. Detective Floyd arrived on scene and assumed control of the investigation.

[End of Narrative]