Sign: Man Pours Lighter Fluid On His Crated Puppy, Burns Her Alive

Published: March 17, 2025 at 02:48 PM Author: Penny Eims

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

Target: Albany County District Attorney’s Office

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS: 

We, the undersigned, demand that Christopher Maxwell be held accountable for his sickening, shocking actions, setting his young dog on fire in a crate. There is NO excuse for this depraved act of cruelty. Animal Victory and its supporters want to see this man prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for the charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, Arson 5th, and Criminal Mischief 4th.

Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice for this innocent young dog but also endangers the community at large. It is imperative that we send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

Note: Maxwell was given an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Albany City Criminal Court on Friday, March 21, 2025. Given the severity of the charges, this will be a felony, and the case will likely be referred to the Albany County District Attorney’s office. Case #CR-00575-25

News:

WNYT

Newsweek

Syracuse.com

Update 9/30/2025: Both Christopher Maxwell and Latisha Ellis sentencing have been moved to 11/20/2025 at 9:30 a.m. by Judge William T. Little. The case numbers IND-70789-25/001 and IND-70789-25/002 are now available.

Update 9/20/2025: Christopher Maxwell, 34, admitted to killing a 1-year-old Pitbull by setting the dog on fire in Albany. He pleaded guilty to 6 charges, including aggravated cruelty, arson, and tampering with evidence.

Maxwell will be sentenced on November 20; his co-defendant, Latisha Ellis, is due for sentencing on September 26. Please CONTINUE to sign the petition: We will resend signatures for the sentencing, and this is particularly where petitions come into play. This case highlights severe animal cruelty and criminal behavior. Christopher Maxwell’s admission to setting a dog on fire and his guilty plea to multiple charges reflect the gravity of animal abuse cases. The upcoming sentencing will determine the legal consequences for his actions. The case also underscores the importance of law enforcement and community efforts in protecting animals and holding perpetrators of cruelty accountable.

Update 7/29/2025: There is currently no upcoming hearing scheduled for Christopher Maxwell. The only way to obtain information about this case is to call 518-285-8777 and provide the index number DA222-25.

Please note that searching for the case using the case number IND-70789-25/001 in the Criminal Web portion of the New York State Unified Court System does not return any results, neither by case number nor by name.

Update 6/24/2025: Defendant: Latisha Ellis, Case #IND-70789-25/002, On June 6, 2025, Latisha Ellis pled guilty to the felony charge of Aggravated Animal Cruelty. She accepted a plea deal offered by the prosecution, whereby she will be on five years’ probation and will be prohibited from owning animals for 50 years. She will be formally sentenced on August 13, 2025. I have left a voicemail with Assistant District Attorney Jacob Sheingold’s office inquiring as to whether Ellis will be placed on the New York Animal Abuser Registry. Maxwell’s case is still pending/active.

Update 6/16/2025: Animal Victory spoke to John at the Albany County Superior Court; he stated that on June 13, 2025, Maxwell was offered a plea deal by the Prosecution. Maxwell rejected the plea deal. There is no scheduled hearing at this time.

Update 6/3/2025: Animal Victory sent a petition to the DA and the Judge. 

Update 5/29/2025: The next scheduled appearance for Christopher Maxwell is June 13, 2025, at 9:45 AM – a possible plea with Judge Little. The next scheduled appearance for Latisha Ellis is May 30, 2025, at 1:30 PM, with a possible plea before Judge Little.Case #IND-70789-25/002 – Ellis Case #IND-70789-25/001

Update 5/08/2025: Christopher Maxwell has a co-defendant in this case – Letisha Ellis. The case # for both is DA222-25. Both Ellis and Maxwell were released under supervision. They must both wear an ankle bracelet, and the conditions are that they cannot own, reside in, or possess any animals while the case is being adjudicated. No hearing has yet been scheduled.

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

Update 3/25/2025: This case has now been moved to the Albany County Criminal Court. It is a high-profile case, 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).