Man Accused Of Torturing Dog To Death With Medication, Plastic Bag, And A Sledgehammer

Published: January 11, 2022 at 11:11 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Chattanooga, TN – A Tennessee man is accused of killing his own dog in a ghastly manner. The police charged 41-year-old Michael Justin Wall, of 9404 Seasons Dr., with aggravated animal cruelty after he gave his dog Tylenol PM, attempted to suffocate his pet with a plastic bag, and finally, bludgeoned the dog to death with a sledgehammer earlier this month.

In the early morning hours of January 4, neighbors contacted the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office after hearing what they believed were “muffled gunshots,” coming from Wall’s residence. Responding deputies found a dog in a pool of blood on Wall’s back deck, next to a plastic bag and a bloodied sledgehammer.

When deputies questioned Wall, he admitted that he had tried to kill his dog because it was having seizures. He explained that he first tried the Tylenol, but when that did not work, he tried using a plastic bag to suffocate his pet. After that method also failed, he used a sledgehammer to repeatedly bludgeon the dog.

Deputies arrested Wall and took him to the Silverdale Detention Center on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

Wall’s dog did not die peacefully. By Michael Wall’s own admission, the dog was poisoned, suffocated, and bludgeoned before finally dying. It is heartbreaking to know that Wall’s dog suffered horribly, at the hands of the person who should have protected him from harm.

Please add your name to the petition today. Your signatures (and comments) will be sent to Neal Pinkston, District Attorney General of Hamilton County, TN.

Note: Individuals are presumed innocent until being found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

We the undersigned demand that Wall be given the longest sentence possible for his charge, in addition to being prohibited from owning animals in the future.

News:

WRCBTV News

The Chatanoogan

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Tennessee-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund

Final Update March 2025: Animal Victory is deeply disappointed to share the following information with supporters, “His file has been expunged, and I cannot get any information whatsoever.” We thank everyone who fought for this case to be tried in court and for justice to be served. 

Update 12/11/2023: Animal Victory sent the petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures. 

Update 11/22/2023: The case is pending in Judge Steelman’s courtroom. There has not been a plea deal or final judgment in this case. The case has been continued to January 17, 2024, as a review of the Community Service Work Day. The defendant must complete 13 days of community service by January 4, 2024, then possible settlement.

Update 5/11/2023: Court is scheduled for 5/25/23 with Judge Barry A. Steelman in Division 1

Update 3/6/2023: Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the judge.

Update 1/27/2023: Court has been pushed to 03/09/2023.

Update 8/28/2022: We are still waiting for the grand jury date. 

Update 4/7/2022: The next court date is May 5, 2022.

Update: Case Number 1862452, Defendant: WALL, MICHAEL JUSTIN, Charge: AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Next Court Date: 3/7/2022 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Gary Starnes

On January 26, 2022, Animal Victory sent 19,431 signatures to Neal Pinkston, District Attorney General of Hamilton County.

Prior Signatures 24,034