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A Cherokee County, Georgia police K-9 was found dead in a patrol car on June 10 after her handler, Cherokee County Lt. Dan Peabody, a school resource officer, left the dog alone in the vehicle for several hours while temperatures outside reached into the low 90’s. A necropsy confirmed that Inca died as a result of heat stroke.
Inca’s death prompted a standard police investigation which revealed this wasn’t the first time a police dog had died in Peabody’s care.
Before being partnered with Inca, Lt. Peabody was partnered with another police K-9, a yellow Lab named Dale. Dale worked alongside his handler from 2007 until 2012 when he retired. After his retirement, the K9 was turned over to Lt. Peabody where he was to live out the remainder of his life as a beloved family pet. Shortly after retiring from K-9 duties, however, Dale was dead. Peabody reported that Dale had died accidentally after he choked on a toy and passed away in the home.
But, while conducting a search warrant of the Peabody home and property after Inca’s death, investigators found remains believed to be those of Dale buried on the property. A necropsy revealed the dog had not died from choking on a toy, but had instead been shot and killed.
Cherokee County Chief Marshal Ron Hunton said the police investigation showed evidence that Dale was shot and killed by Peabody at his Paulding County home shortly after the dog retired from service.
Now, the former school resource officer (he resigned just days after Inca’s death) is facing two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and making false statements to police.
But, there is a very strong possibility more charges will be filed as the investigation continues.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, a third set of animal remains were found at a home where Peabody lived about a year ago. While not formally identified, police are confident that the third set of remains are those of yet another dead dog. A forensic veterinarian is currently investigating the breed and cause of death.
As if this weren’t enough, Peabody’s wife, Tyler Verlander-Peabody, is accused of operating an illegal dog kennel and training facility out of their shared home. A spokesperson for the Cherokee County Marshall’s Office told 11 Alive, “She did not have a business license, nor was the home zoned or permitted for this type of use. There were no indications or reasons to believe that any animals were in danger or harmed while in her care.”
Yesterday, Judge Mark Anderson read a list of special restrictions to which Peabody would have to adhere once released on bond. Those include not having any contact with animals, not possessing any weapons, and staying away from witnesses in the case. Peabody’s bond was set at $22,400.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is released.
This guy is a predator of canines.
Charlene
says:Sounds like Peabody and his wife should be wiped from the face of the earth. No redeeming qualities and no benefit to society. At the very least, both should be prohibited from having contact with dogs and weapons
Allie
says:He needs to suffer.. God will take care
Where was God when those poor animals were executed!?! On a coffee break as usual…
Lisa G Taylor
says:He should be stripped of his badge …fired and locked away for good!!RIP sweet angel…thank you for your service!!
JoAnne Klein
says:With all the disgust, anger, malice and loathing directed at this sorry excuse for a human, Karma will surely take notice and mete out justice for all the horror he has caused.
I was brought up to respect police officers.
As an animal right’s activist it has been my life’s goal to have respect for animals.
Part of that is to only bring rescued animals into my life and home. For 50+ years, every dog and cat
has always been a rescue. It has brought love and joy into my life. What it has also brought is a need
to help other animals who are abused or cruelly treated. I do that through supporting outfits like the
ASPCA, and signing petitions that help end abuse for animals and all kinds of wildlife.
To hear of a Police Officer who left a dog to die in a patrol car, and then shot and killed a retired K-9
that he was supposed to be loving and taking care of, goes against everything I believe in.
My hope is that he pays dearly for his cruelty and is never allowed to have any contact whatsoever with
another dog or animals EVER.
Geraldine Perry
says:Hope he and wife go to jail!!! Piece of SHIT!!!!
Lois Mills
says:Properly paying for his several acts of cruelty and abuse and in fact murder of how many other K-9 police officers, would be a lengthly jail term. Community service to follow his release consisting of cleaning out dogs runs and cages in the local humane society, and any city dog parks. This piece of human excrement deserves to clean up dog excrement for at least a year following his release. He must never be allowed to own any animal again.
Pippy
says:Horrible human being. He belongs locked up in a hot jail cell for the rest of his useless life.
WHERE’S THE JUSTICE? JUST BECAUSE HE’S AN OFFICER? INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE THE MURDERER OF INNOCENT ANIMALS!! HEARTLESS BASTARD!!!!
This pig needs to be charged with murder. These dogs were officers of the law and he killed them. Bastard will pay.
Star
says:Ah, I forgot one thing to add to my previous post. He actually killed three law enforcement officers. K-9’s are certified law enforcement officers. That dirty cop is a cop killer!!!
Star
says:There IS something worse than a dirty cop, it’s a dirty cop who kills defenseless animals. Dirty cops need to go to prison and let it be known they are former law enforcement. They will be taught many lessons by the inmates (not good ones either). Daniel Peabody needs to go to prison and let it be known he’s a dirty cop and a serial dog killer. He’d probably be killed too and I hate to say it but he deserves it. Punk!
MARY
says:THROW HIS ASS IN A HOT JAIL CELL PLUS REMOVE HIM FROM THE POLICE FORCE NEVER EVER TO HAVE ANOTHER PET OF ANY KIND I MEAN ANY DISGUESTING EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING IF THATS WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL HIM.
Jennifer
says:He should not b aloud to have any animals she shoot his ass n leave him for dead n a hot car
Ed
says:Put the officer in a hot car and let him DIE a slow painful death