Sign: Man Faces Felony For Decapitating Woman’s Dog With A Machete

Published: February 24, 2026 at 08:19 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

Atlanta, Georgia – In mid-February, a woman’s missing dog was beheaded with a machete and left on a porch in northwest Atlanta. Police arrested Jalen Wade, a former Georgia State football player and rapper known in the music industry as Lil Drip, in connection with the killing after a three-hour SWAT standoff. Investigators say Wade posted images of the slain dog to his Instagram account, sparking outrage and leading to his identification.

Police officers who responded to the northwest Atlanta home on the afternoon of February 11 found the deceased dog’s head in a bowl on the porch, with a machete nearby. The authorities attempted to apprehend Wade, but he refused to exit the house, leading to a three-hour standoff.

Wade was ultimately arrested and booked into the Fulton County Jail on multiple charges.

The slain dog, named Bambi, was identified thanks to an embedded microchip which revealed that she had been adopted from the LifeLine Animal Project by Precious Cody in 2024. Cody had reported her pet missing in September 2025 and was stunned to get a call from animal control notifying her that Bambi was dead.

Cody is mourning the death of her companion, who she said, “loved to cuddle.” Telling a news agency, “All I want is justice for my dog. An animal is like a child, and Bambi was like my child.”

Cody has stated that she does not know the man who killed Bambi, and the authorities are still investigating why he committed such a gruesome act. There have been allegations of voodoo being performed in the Illinois Avenue house that Wade had rented for several years.

Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. called the case “horrifying and heartbreaking,” telling the Journal-Constitution in a statement, “The torture and beheading of a dog is an act of cruelty so extreme that it shocks the conscience.”

Animal Victory agrees, this is an extreme act of cruelty and Jalen Wade must be held accountable! Please add your name to the petition.

Decision Makers: Fani T. Willis, Fulton County District Attorney

Why This Petition Matters

We demand that Jalen Wade be convicted on all charges, sentenced to the maximum allowed by law, and permanently prohibited from owning or living with animals. Justice for Bambi requires nothing less. Georgia Animal Protection Laws 2025 Updated

Note: A judge denied Wade’s bail. 

News:

Fox Atlanta

11 Alive

People

Local 12

Based on reports from authorities; details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

Update 2/25/2026: Defendant Jalen Jerome Wade’s Case# 26PI001180. Next appearance: Pre-Indictment Preliminary Hearing is scheduled on 03/06/2026 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Todd Ashley. Bond was denied on the basis of Defendant poses a significant threat or danger to any person, the community, or to any property in the community.