Falcons linebacker Prince Shembo has been arrested on felony charges of animal cruelty after police say he kicked and killed his girlfriend's dog. Atlanta waived him soon after news of the charges broke Friday.
Denicia Williams, Shembo's ex-girlfriend, called police April 19 after returning to Shembo's home to pick up her Yorkie named Dior after a four-day stay. She found Dior injured and unresponsive. Dior later died at Duluth Animal Hospital.
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Police said the dog had a fractured rib, fractured liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising and hemorrhage in the muscles of her front leg and shoulders, head trauma, hemorrhage and edema in its lungs, hemorrhage between the esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in the left eye with internal injuries.
Shembo, 23, was selected by Atlanta in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Notre Dame product appeared in all 16 games last season and started three.