Cop Whose K-9 Died in Patrol Car Granted Contact With Animals

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The former Cherokee County School Police Department officer charged in connection with the deaths of two dogs in his care will now be allowed around other animals.

A ruling issued Thursday now allows Daniel Wood Peabody to reside with, possess and come in contact with animals of any kind.

Shannon Wallace, district attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, said Peabody's attorney made the request to modify his client's condition of bond imposed by the court.

However, Peabody is barred from transporting dogs, taking part in any end-of-life decisions regarding any domestic animal and possessing a firearm or occupying a home or vehicle containing a firearm, the order issued by Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Jackson Harris notes.

Assistant District Attorney Rachelle Carnesale added the state was "strongly opposed" to the request for Peabody to have contact with animals.

In the petition for the modification, attorney David Willingham wrote the original condition caused "severe hardship" on his client and his client's family and even barred Peabody from having contact with his own animals.

Peabody, a former lieutenant with the school police department, was charged by the Cherokee County Marshal's Office with one count each of aggravated animal cruelty and making false statements.

The aggravated animal cruelty charge stems from Peabody allegedly leaving his partner, K-9 Inka, in a patrol car with no ventilation while the engine was off, which resulted in the dog's death in June from a heat stroke. The car was not properly equipped to transport police K-9's, as it did not have an agency-approved heat alarm or kennel system, the marshal's office previously said.

The false statement charge comes from Peabody allegedly informing investigators about the death of Dale, a yellow Labrador that was retired from the Cherokee school police department in 2012.

The agency received information about Dale after opening an investigation into Inka's death. Peabody, who was responsible for Dale's upkeep and care after his retirement, allegedly told investigators the dog's death was accidental and was caused by him choking on a toy, the marshal's office said.

However, Cherokee Chief Marshal Ron Hunton previously said the investigation "yielded evidence that Dale was in fact shot and killed by Peabody" after was retired from active service.

In a shocking twist of events, the marshal's office said remains of a third dog found on property formerly belonging to Peabody, did not belong to Dale. Those remains, the agency added, possibly belonged to Inka's grandmother, a Belgian Malinois owned by Peabody.

Dale's remains have not been recovered by authorities. Peabody worked with the Cherokee County School Police Department from 2000 to June 16 when he voluntarily resigned from the post.

In an unrelated case, Peabody's wife, Tyler Verlander, was cited for allegedly operating a kennel/boarding business out of their home without a business license. The property, the agency added, was also not zoned or permitted for that type of use.

Image via Cherokee County Adult Detention Center