GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A former Gwinnett County animal control officer will soon face cruelty charges for allegedly beating a lost dog.
The dog's owner says there were several witnesses to the August 2014 beating, and when Gwinnett police detectives questioned the animal control officer about the incident, he quit his job.
Sabo Grbic got the 6-year old Rottweiler when he was a pup, and trained him to be a show winner, but he says after that August day, everything changed.
"He's hurt. He's afraid of people. It changed him completely,” Grbic said.
Shane had gotten out of his yard. He was found a few blocks over by Gwinnett County Animal Control Officer Austin Fetner. Fetner claimed the dog bared his teeth and charged. But witnesses say the officer administered a beat down with his dog catching pole, and badly injured the animal.
A few months later, police detectives questioned Fetner.
"Shortly after that interview was complete, he then resigned his employment with the department. He was not arrested by our detectives,” Cpl. Michele Pihera said.
But prosecutors say Fetner will soon be charged with animal cruelty and will have to turn himself in.
While Grbic waits for Shane to return to his old self, he says he also waits for justice.
"If they put him 100 years in a jail, to me, I don't like that. But, he needs to be punished,” Grbic said.
In his official report, Fetner described a justified case of self-defense. He claimed he feared for his life as the dog charged.
Prosecutors say he is out of the country but has agreed to return when charges are filed, which authorities say will happen by the end of the month.