GRAYVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

A Grayville man has been arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after police say they discovered six dead puppies inside a cooler at his residence.
Grayville Police were dispatched just before 5 p.m. Saturday to a home on Spring Street on a report of individuals fighting. When officers arrived, no fight was found, but residents told them that 39-year-old Tyrel Linder of Fifth Street had been causing problems and that he had killed several puppies by placing them in a cooler.
Police soon located Linder and detained him. Officers say he admitted to placing the puppies in the cooler and closing the lid before going to sleep, resulting in their deaths. At Linder’s property, investigators found the cooler containing the animals and a freshly dug shallow grave with a shovel still nearby.
During the investigation, officers reported that Linder became agitated and headbutted the window of a squad car. While being transported to the White County Jail, Linder allegedly attempted to remove his handcuffs, made repeated apologies for the deaths of the puppies, and issued threats he claimed were tied to the situation. He also attempted to bargain with the transporting officer for his release.
Police say reports, photos, and body camera footage have been forwarded to the White County State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution.