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A Bronx man, Christopher Maxwell, has been sentenced to up to four years in prison for his role in the brutal death of a dog in Albany. Maxwell, 34, was convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals, arson in the fifth degree, and other charges after starving the dog for nearly two weeks and then setting its remains on fire. The incident occurred in February, when police found the dog's body inside a crate near Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street in Albany. Surveillance footage showed Maxwell dragging the crate to a parking lot before setting it ablaze. Maxwell pleaded guilty to the charges in September.
His girlfriend, Latisha Ellis, was also involved in the crime. She pleaded guilty to a felony violation of Agriculture & Markets Law for aggravated cruelty to animals and was sentenced to five years of probation. Both Maxwell and Ellis are banned from owning or living with animals for 50 years. According to CBS6 Albany, Maxwell received a sentence ranging from 16 months to four years behind bars.
The case has drawn significant attention and highlights the severe consequences of animal cruelty. Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced the sentencing, emphasizing the importance of justice for the animal victim. The case was prosecuted by Jacob Sheingold of the Special Victims Unit.