Man Arrested After Deceiving Hart County Animal Rescue for Donations

In July of 2024, the Hart County Animal Rescue responded to a Facebook post where a man expressed his desire to surrender his dog. Rescue representatives arrived at the location and met with Michael Walker, who claimed to be the dog’s owner. Walker allegedly informed the rescue that he was a homeless Vietnam veteran and had been living on a bench in the parking lot of a local motel for over a year. Believing his story, the rescue organization raised funds to provide Walker with motel stays, food, and medication. Walker also reportedly mentioned that his wife had died from COVID-19 at Gwinnett Medical Center.

A subsequent TV news story highlighted the rescue’s efforts to support Walker, leading to thousands of dollars in donations being raised. However, the rescue withheld the funds after beginning to suspect that Walker had been dishonest. On July 15, 2024, the rescue filed a report with the Lavonia Police Department after growing suspicious of Walker’s claims.

On July 24, 2024, Lavonia Police Department investigators interviewed Walker. Initially, Walker denied the rescue’s accusations but later admitted that he had lied about being a Vietnam veteran, explaining that he feared he would not receive help otherwise. Walker also confessed that, although he did not explicitly say his ex-wife, who is alive, had died from COVID-19, he knew the rescue believed it and did not correct their assumption. It was also confirmed that Walker had not been living on the bench as he claimed. Walker acknowledged receiving assistance from the rescue, including motel stays, food, and medicine.

Following the investigation, warrants were issued for Walker on charges of Obstruction of Law Enforcement and Theft by Deception. Walker was subsequently located, taken into custody, and booked into the Franklin County Detention Center.

The Lavonia Police Department remains committed to protecting the community from fraud and deception. Authorities thanked the Hart County Animal Rescue for their cooperation and encouraged anyone who suspects fraudulent activity to contact law enforcement before donating money.