https://www.thepetitionsite.com/565/012/387/

NEWS ARTICLES

https://www.news10.com/top-stories/pair-pleads-not-guilty-to-setting-dog-on-fire-killing-it/

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two people involved in a harsh animal cruelty case were arraigned in Albany City Court Friday morning. Both Christopher Maxwell, 32, from the Bronx, and Latisha Ellis, 32, from Albany, pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges. The courtroom was filled with animal rights advocates, who arrived at the hearing early to stand in support of the dog that died.

The pair allegedly tortured and killed their one-year old female pit bull in a parking lot in the area of 4th Avenue and Franklin Street in February. Investigators said the two left the dog Inside a crate at a home for several days with no food or water. Police said Maxwell and Ellis then took the dog, while still inside the crate, to the parking lot, poured lighter fluid over her, and set her on fire.

The pair came to court both wearing face masks, which, to one activist, Jeanette McLean, shows their guilt. 

“They know they did this,” McLean said. “They hid themselves behind masks to come to court. Yes, they did walk right through us this morning and tried to get us to not know who they were.”

Before the hearing, the crowd held signs calling for change.

“Unfortunately, the justice system isn’t strong enough for the dogs, McLean said. “That’s really what it comes down to, animals, dogs in general. We need stricter laws for people who do animal cruelty. They hurt a poor, defenseless animal. She had no choice but to burn.”

The prosecutor told the judge a grand jury is expected to meet next Friday regarding the case, which could result in an upgrade in charges.

************************************

https://wnyt.com/top-stories/petition-demands-maximum-penalties-in-albany-dog-killing

Petition demands maximum penalties in Albany dog killing

Kumi Tucker WNYT
Updated: March 25, 2025 – 5:51 PM
Published: March 12, 2025 – 11:54 PM

Ring camera video shows a man dragging a covered crate near Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street in Albany last month, then walking casually away, with the crate in flames.

Albany police say they found a one-year-old female pitbull dead inside.

“When I first saw the video I cried,” said Sidney Scacchetti, vice president of the animal group Bark, Brew & Tattoo. “I could not stop thinking about that poor baby that was stuck in that crate and had to unfortunately go out of this world like that. I could not help but think about my own pitbull at home and how sweet, beautiful, and joyful, and the unconditional love that they give. I can’t fathom how somebody can take a soul like that.”

Police say 34-year-old Christopher Maxwell of the Bronx left the crated dog at home for several days without food or water before heading to the parking lot, pouring lighter fluid, and setting the crate and the dog on fire.

“We’re looking for the full penalty for this man,” said Monica Willette, founder and event coordinator of Bark, Brew & Tattoo. “I think that we had the perfect opportunity as a country to make Michael Vick a prime example of why we don’t treat animals this way. And instead we gave him a slap on the wrist and public community service.”

Bark, Brew & Tattoo raises money and awareness for bully breeds. It fights the negative stigma attached to those dogs. The group began a petition demanding Maxwell be held accountable to the fullest extent.

Animal advocates say things like pitbull rings still exist.

“I think we like to turn a blind eye to it, but it’s something that we definitely need to wake up and realize that it’s still happening in our area,” said Willette.

Maxwell is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, arson and criminal mischief.

“When I first saw the video, I did cry to think about how this animal was brought into a public space, confined, and then lit on fire. I can’t imagine a worse way of having to suffer and die,” said Bark, Brew & Tattoo President Amanda Wolf. “There are a lot of reasons a person doesn’t want to have an animal. There are a lot of resources available to people that want to surrender their animals and this should never be a solution to that problem.”

Maxwell is scheduled to appear in Albany City Court on March 21.

Here’s the petition:

https://www.change.org/p/demand-full-prosecution-for-christopher-maxwell

************************************

https://animalvictory.org/petition/sign-man-poured-lighter-fluid-on-his-crated-puppy-burning-her-alive/

(please sign directly on the page)

Albany, New York – In the early morning hours of February 23, Christopher Maxwell,34, dragged his year-old puppy to a church parking lot in a cage. He doused the pup and cage with an accelerant and set it on fire – killing the confined young dog in one of the most horrific ways possible.

According to the Albany Police, before setting his pup on fire, he had starved her for days – leaving her crated without food or water.

In a news release, the authorities said:

Upon further investigation by our Special Operations Unit, it was discovered that Maxwell, the dog’s owner had left the dog inside a crate in his residence for several days without food or water. Upon Maxwell’s return, he took the dog, still in the crate, to a parking lot in the area of Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street, poured lighter fluid over the crate and the dog, and set it on fire.

The video captures the horrifying moments before and after the pup is set on fire.

Animal Victory wants to ensure that Christopher Maxwell faces the maximum consequences for his abhorrent actions. Please add your name to the petition and help us get justice for the young dog who suffered a horrific death at Maxwell’s hands.

Animal-Protection-Laws-of-New-York-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund

Update 3/25/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA. 

Update 3/25/2025: This case has now been moved to the Albany County Criminal Court.  It is very high profile and the case number will be changing.  It is our understanding that the Grand Jury is in session this week – Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  The D.A. will be presenting the case to the Grand Jury (they are unsure which date specifically). 

VIDEO