Romello Maxwell, an inmate at Genesee County Jail in Michigan, has been charged with assaulting a jail comfort dog.
Maxwell struck Josie, a 13-month-old spaniel, on September 24, causing her to suffer a concussion and damage to one of her eyes.
The attack was announced last Tuesday (October 1) during a press conference held by Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Prosecutor David Layton.
“Josie is not even 15 pounds, and she was assaulted while she was simply doing her job,” described Sheriff Swanson.
Romello Maxwell, an inmate at Genesee County Jail in Michigan, has been charged with assaulting a 13-month-old therapy dog named Josie
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
“We take matters, whether they be big or small, seriously when it comes to assault,” he added.
“We’ve established for years that if you assault, beat, torture, or starve an animal to death, you have a great likelihood that you’re going to do it to a human.
“In law enforcement, canines are used to find explosives, drugs, children…and in Josie’s case, they are therapy dogs for not only staff and inmates but also for victims who testify. We use these dogs to break barriers down.
“Josie has a little badge that was broken at the assault and a little vest. I’m not trying to be melodramatic; I’m saying this is the use of this kind of canine to de-escalate everything. Dogs can do that.”
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Spending time with a dog can help prisoners restore their mental health and reduce the risk of self-harm. For some, interacting with a friendly dog can provide a sense of connection to the outside world.
“As a dog lover, it broke my heart when I watched this video,” added prosecutor David Layton.
He said that the inmate has been charged with serious offenses under Michigan law, including assaulting a corrections deputy.
The prosecutor said he pushed for the toughest possible charges against Maxwell and called for stricter state laws on animal assault.
“This individual is a habitual offender, so the maximum penalty increases from four years to eight years, which I think is still too low.”
Josie suffered a concussion after being struck in the head while approaching Maxwell
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
During the press conference, prosecutor Layton and Sheriff Swanson shared the video of the attack, which shows Josie approaching Maxwell and yelping after being hit.
The 27-year-old reportedly assaulted two law enforcement personnel before the attack.
In the description of the livestream, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office noted, “Animal abuse will not be tolerated on Sheriff Swanson’s watch, and that includes inside his jail.
“Last Tuesday, the jail’s comfort dog, Josie, started a routine day. She excitedly greeted staff and inmates throughout the Genesee County Jail. In a split second, Josie’s sweet spirit was met with hatred and violence. She was viciously attacked by an inmate.
“Sheriff Swanson and Prosecutor David Leyton plan to hold Josie’s abuser accountable and continue their efforts to protect innocent animals in Genesee County.”
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
After the incident, Josie was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where she stayed for a day and a half and received an MRI scan.
Holding the therapy dog in his arms, Sheriff Swanson said Josie is “doing well” and “is going to continue to serve” at the prison.
She returned to her duties last Monday (September 20) thanks to the help of her canine handler.
Two bills were recently introduced to establish a registry for individuals convicted of animal-related crimes, the sheriff added, emphasizing the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans
“Josie is not even 15 pounds, and she was assaulted while she was simply doing her job,” described Sheriff Chris Swanson
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Image credits: Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
According to a study by Michigan State University, men who abused animals were five times more likely to have been arrested for violence toward humans.
One of the most reliable predictors of future violence as an adult is having committed animal abuse as a child, the study notes.
This connection can go both ways. According to a 2021 study shared by the FBI, 16% of offenders started abusing animals and graduated to violent crimes against humans.
However, in many circumstances, offenders start by hurting people and then progress to harming animals.
Josie helps improve inmates’ mental health and provides support for victims who testify
“Animal abusers were more likely than control participants to be interpersonally violent, but they also were more likely to commit property offenses, drug offenses, and public disorder offenses,” wrote authors Arnold Arluke, Jack Levin, Carter Lule, and Frank Ascione.
“Thus, there was an association between animal abuse and a variety of antisocial behaviors, but not violence alone.”
“He should get a long sentence for this,” a reader commented
I have worked in Corrections for 10 years. The other inmates will take care of this. There is both a dog program and a cat program at Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington state. There is a waiting list to participate in both programs. The inmates have to be without infractions for quite awhile before approval and thier cell mate as well. Both programs encourage good behavior and the animal can be removed if the inmate gets even the lowest level of infraction. It teaches them empathy, respect and responsibility better than any other program.
Poor fur baby!!! That fuckedup non-human asshøle waste of cells dickfungus evil psycho shitpile really should get life in the hole, beaten within a mm of his life, tortured so many times every day/ night!!! In the worst ways!!!
Hope he enjoys his extended sentence. I would imagine this move didn't make him too popular with his fellow inmates either.
I’m glad Sheriff Swanson and Prosecutor David Leyton took this seriously.
Anyone who abuses an animal or child should have their day in court, then when the gavel comes down, they're walked round the back of the courthouse and all we hear is the echo of a single gunshot. No mercy, they WILL reoffend.
All studies show those criminals have the lowest recidivism rates, actually, but I guess people always need to lie to justify their mob mentality, eh?
Load More Replies...That douche saying dog invaded his privacy? Dafuq??? Hope that inmate gets the treatment he deserves from his fellows because they won't be happy either.
I’d like to think the 🫏🕳️ commenter who said “Maybe he doesn’t like dogs” was later on in the day set upon by a roving pack of feral dogs. Not liking animals is a reason to hurt them? What?
Exactly my thoughts he could have simply hauled his stupid @ss somewhere else or ignored the sweet pupper instead of hitting the it and i hope the stupid cockwobble commenter walks face first into molten glass
Load More Replies...And that’s the exact reason why I don’t like that they have animals in jail.
Beeps - I think that precautions should be taken, but these programs can do a lot of good. In some counties in Nevada, working in the animal shelter is a common work-release assignment. This gives shelter animal attention and care that they otherwise would not get, and research shows caring for animals decreases recidivism and helps mental health. Check out the Prison Pet Partnership.
Load More Replies...The prisons who do dog therapy do wonders for 99.9% of prisoners. Some prisons have programs where excellent behaved inmates can have a dog live in their personal cell and the inmate trains them, and also gets a loving, therapeutic friend as well. The programs w dogs have been proven to do amazing positives to male and female inmates. The programs won't be and shouldn't be stopped because one inmate harmed this poor pup.
Load More Replies...Did you read the article where it says he assaulted two corrections officers right before the tiny not 15 pound spaniel happily approaches him?
Load More Replies...I have worked in Corrections for 10 years. The other inmates will take care of this. There is both a dog program and a cat program at Monroe Correctional Complex in Washington state. There is a waiting list to participate in both programs. The inmates have to be without infractions for quite awhile before approval and thier cell mate as well. Both programs encourage good behavior and the animal can be removed if the inmate gets even the lowest level of infraction. It teaches them empathy, respect and responsibility better than any other program.
Poor fur baby!!! That fuckedup non-human asshøle waste of cells dickfungus evil psycho shitpile really should get life in the hole, beaten within a mm of his life, tortured so many times every day/ night!!! In the worst ways!!!
Hope he enjoys his extended sentence. I would imagine this move didn't make him too popular with his fellow inmates either.
I’m glad Sheriff Swanson and Prosecutor David Leyton took this seriously.
Anyone who abuses an animal or child should have their day in court, then when the gavel comes down, they're walked round the back of the courthouse and all we hear is the echo of a single gunshot. No mercy, they WILL reoffend.
All studies show those criminals have the lowest recidivism rates, actually, but I guess people always need to lie to justify their mob mentality, eh?
Load More Replies...That douche saying dog invaded his privacy? Dafuq??? Hope that inmate gets the treatment he deserves from his fellows because they won't be happy either.
I’d like to think the 🫏🕳️ commenter who said “Maybe he doesn’t like dogs” was later on in the day set upon by a roving pack of feral dogs. Not liking animals is a reason to hurt them? What?
Exactly my thoughts he could have simply hauled his stupid @ss somewhere else or ignored the sweet pupper instead of hitting the it and i hope the stupid cockwobble commenter walks face first into molten glass
Load More Replies...And that’s the exact reason why I don’t like that they have animals in jail.
Beeps - I think that precautions should be taken, but these programs can do a lot of good. In some counties in Nevada, working in the animal shelter is a common work-release assignment. This gives shelter animal attention and care that they otherwise would not get, and research shows caring for animals decreases recidivism and helps mental health. Check out the Prison Pet Partnership.
Load More Replies...The prisons who do dog therapy do wonders for 99.9% of prisoners. Some prisons have programs where excellent behaved inmates can have a dog live in their personal cell and the inmate trains them, and also gets a loving, therapeutic friend as well. The programs w dogs have been proven to do amazing positives to male and female inmates. The programs won't be and shouldn't be stopped because one inmate harmed this poor pup.
Load More Replies...Did you read the article where it says he assaulted two corrections officers right before the tiny not 15 pound spaniel happily approaches him?
Load More Replies...
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