CHRISTOPHER MAXWELL sentenced to prison for burning a dog who he had starved to death

- New York, USA -

On Thursday, November 20, 2025, Albany County Judge William Little sentenced 34-year-old CHRISTOPHER MAXWELL (pictured), to sixteen (16) months to four (4) years in state prison for starving a dog and then setting the furvictim on fire.

The furvictim was a 1-year-old female Pitbull named Dora.

MAXWELL and his girlfriend, 33-year-old LATISHA ELLIS (also pictured), went on vacation for nearly two weeks and left the dog in a crate without food and water inevitably resulting in Dora’s death by starvation.

On February 24, 2025, Albany Police were called to a parking lot near Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street after the discovery of the remains of a dog.

As part of an investigation, investigators reviewed footage from surveillance cameras which showed MAXWELL dragging a crate containing Dora’s lifeless body. MAXWELL then proceeded to pour lighter fluid on the crate and set it on fire.

MAXWELL was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving, torturing, injuring and not feeding an animal, arson, criminal mischief with intent to damage property, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.

ELLIS was taken into custody on March 19, 2025, after the Albany County Sheriff’s Office raided a home on Broad Street.

At the home, authorities found a 3-year-old male dog locked in a crate with inadequate food and water and living in unsanitary conditions.

On April 9, 2025, MAXWELL and ELLIS appeared in Albany County Court before Honorable William Little for their arraignment. The couple were then released under the supervision of probation and with an order prohibiting them from possessing any animals. Additionally, MAXWELL was ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

MAXWELL pleaded guilty to all of the charges on September 18, 2025.

On June 6, 2025, ELLIS pleaded guilty to felony aggravated cruelty to animals and on September 26, 2025, she was sentenced to serve five years of probation.

On Thursday, MAXWELL received sixteen months to four years on the tampering charges. He got one year each on the aggravated animal cruelty, arson, criminal mischief and time served on the failure to provide proper sustenance. All sentences are to run concurrently.

Both ELLIS and MAXWELL are banned from “owning” animals for fifty (50) years as part of the sentence.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from information provided to Voice For Us by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office

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DESHAWN T. MILLER arrested – He was witnessed smashing a bag to the ground and kicking the bag while a live cat was inside

- New York, USA -

On the afternoon of November 2, 2025, a witness saw a male carrying a grocery bag, smashing the bag on the ground and then kicking the bag. The male then left the bag and walked away.

When the witness looked inside the bag, they found a live cat who was severely injured. The incident happened in front of Monroe Muffler at 7419 Seneca Road N in Hornell.

The Good Samaritan then rushed the furvictim to the Hornell Area Humane Society where staff named him Mister.

Mister was immediately transferred to Cornell University Hospital for emergency medical treatment. The Hornell Area Humane Society published a Facebook post to advise that Mister underwent surgery and that it was successful. The organization explained that Mister “had a fracture of his left femur at the hip and multiple traumas causing blood in his chest and urine.”

A $500 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest and Racalto's Restaurant offered to match the reward.

As part of the investigation investigators reviewed video footage from numerous cameras, and were able to identify the savage as 28-year-old DESHAWN T. MILLER.

MILLER was taken into custody on the afternoon of November 6, 2025, and charged with one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

According to the press release by the New York State Police, MILLER was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Hornellsville Town Court on December 10, 2025.

The Hornell Area Humane Society was happy to hear that an arrest was made in this case but even more so that Mister is recovering and is being cared for by a loving foster family. The organization stated: “We are blown away by the community’s support for Mister. We cannot say thank you enough to everyone that has donated, shared, and kept Mister in their thoughts.”

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mister’s pictures shared from the Hornell Area Humane Society

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MICHAEL J. FRANZESE arrested after a dog was found emaciated and severely malnourished

- Connecticut, USA -

On October 20, 2025, a concerned citizen called Chief Animal Control Officer Jessica Moffo with the Woodbridge Regional Animal Control and alerted her to a case of “possible animal neglect/abuse.”

The caller was concerned about the condition of a dog they saw on a unit’s balcony at the Balance Rock Apartments off Balance Rock Road in Seymour. Additionally, the caller sent Chief ACO Moffo pictures of the dog, a 3-year-old female Cane Corso named Ruby. The caller went on to state that Ruby looked emaciated and severely malnourished and that her spine, hips, and ribs were protruding.

Chief ACO Moffo then responded to the location with Seymour Police Officer Martin and spoke with 50-year-old MICHAEL J. FRANZESE (pictured).

Chief ACO Moffo explained to FRANZESE her concerns about Ruby’s condition and offered to have him voluntarily surrender her so that she could receive immediate veterinary care.

FRANZESE agreed and Ruby was taken to VCA Shoreline Animal Hospital in Shelton “for life saving medical treatment”, said Woodbridge Police Chief Ronald Smith in a press release.

Ruby had to be hospitalized for several days for her treatment. On November 7, 2025, Ruby was re-hospitalized and veterinarians had to pump her stomach to remove multiple foreign objects that she had ingested prior to being in animal control’s care.

On November 14, 2025, FRANZESE was placed under arrest and charged with animal cruelty.

FRANZESE is now free on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in state Superior Court in Derby on November 24, 2025.

Chief Smith said that Ruby’s health is improving.

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Ruby’s pictures shared from Woodbridge Regional Animal Control

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