JOHNNY TINNEL arrested on accusations of shooting and injuring a dog

- Kentucky, USA -

On Monday, April 20, 2026, a woman contacted Letcher County Sheriff Billy Jones to advise him that a dog had been shot on her property on Rocky Hollow in Jenkins. The woman said the incident had been caught on camera.

The following morning, Sheriff Jones contacted Sgt. Josh Richardson of the Jenkins Police Department and alerted him to the situation.

Sgt. Richardson began investigating. He gathered statements from witnesses and obtained video evidence.

The individual responsible for shooting the defenseless dog was identified as 41-year-old JOHNNY TINNEL (pictured).

Sgt. Richardson presented the case to Letcher County Attorney Jamie Hatton for review and charges, and an arrest warrant was issued for TINNEL for cruelty to animals and wanton endangerment.

On the evening of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Sgt. Richardson, along with Letcher County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dingus and Deputy Jacobs, conducted a traffic stop on Main Street in Jenkins and TINNEL was inside the vehicle. TINNEL was arrested at the scene.

The resident who thankfully reported the shooting, Ms. Ashley Gibbs, shared a couple of videos related to the incident on her Facebook account.

Ms. Gibbs told WYMT: “Tinnel was standing right near his back porch and shot across the fence into my yard and shot the dog.”

Another resident, Ms. Hannah Eldridge, posted a picture of the dog on her Facebook profile and referred to him as Rambo.

Ms. Eldridge kindly explained that Rambo was taken to the vet by her guardian. She also wanted to clarify that Rambo is alive despite several comments stating that he was euthanized. Ms. Eldridge explained that it was the vet’s recommendation to euthanize Rambo due to his severe injuries. According to Ms. Eldridge’s Facebook post, Rambo suffered pneumothorax with the bullet in the collapsed lung, and air and free fluid in his chest cavity.

Ms. Eldridge further stated in her Facebook post that Rambo’s guardian will consult another vet for a second opinion. Meanwhile, Rambo is “hanging in there and still fighting”.

Please, allow me to ask you all to send prayers/pawsitive thoughts for Rambo’s recovery.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

TINNEL’s mugshot shared from the Letcher County Sheriff's Office

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