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 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 by the prosecution whereas she will be on 5 years’ probation, not allowed to own 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 petition to the DA and 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). 

 

Man Poured Lighter Fluid On His Crated Puppy, Burning Her Alive

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Latest Signatures
21,005 Sherry S. 0 Jun 25, 2025
21,004 Simon B. 0 Jun 25, 2025
21,003 Nancy D. 0 Jun 25, 2025
21,002 Jessica C. 0 Jun 25, 2025
21,001Anonymous 0 Jun 25, 2025
21,000 Louis B. 0 Jun 25, 2025
20,999 Lucette B. 0 Jun 25, 2025
20,998Anonymous 0 Jun 25, 2025
20,997 Miho M. 0 Jun 25, 2025
20,996 Leslie S. 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,995 Jody R. Punish this man to the fullest extent possible! This animal had no choices and was horrifically harmed! He needs to know there is a punishment and feel some pain for his horrid actions. What is this was a child with no voice? We need to be their voice! Thank you 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,994Anonymous 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,993 Anne A. 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,992 Robin E. 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,991 Michele D. 0 Jun 24, 2025
20,990 Daniele B. 0 Jun 23, 2025
20,989 Kellie M. 0 Jun 23, 2025
20,988 Karen M. Scumbag trash. Please pu wish severely. Poor puppy 0 Jun 23, 2025
20,987 Chad Z. There is no excuse for animal abuse. 0 Jun 22, 2025
20,986 Naomi S. He needs a life sentence for his crime and NO MERCY EVER!!!!!!!!!!! This is NOT human and must be sentenced to a psychiatric insane asylum for good. This is a monster who should also bve doused with AN ACCELERANT ALSO BECAUSE HE WILL kill AGAIN!!!!!!!! He is a killing demon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0 Jun 22, 2025
20,985 Sandra M. Max Sentence NO PLEA DEALS KARMA 0 Jun 22, 2025
20,984 Julie H. Hope this POS was jailed for a long time 0 Jun 22, 2025
20,983 Deb S. He deserves the same treatment to feel the pain and suffering afflicted I swear we as a society are too dam weak to address such evil 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,982 Nancy C. 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,981 Nina K. 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,980Anonymous 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,979 Jackie & Jennifer H. Lock him up & throw away the key.He should never be allowed to own or be around animals. 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,978 M J. 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,977 Linda G. Burn him alive. 0 Jun 21, 2025
20,976 Linda D M. If he isnt prosecuted and imprisoned, every media outlet in this country needs to be notified and his ugly face plastered everywhere so he can never go anywhere without people knowing what he did! If the law won't do it's job at least people can punish him. 0 Jun 20, 2025
20,975 Marie-Claude G. 0 Jun 20, 2025
20,974 Thomas B. 0 Jun 20, 2025
20,973 Charlie Z. 0 Jun 19, 2025
20,972 Beverley H. people who do horrendous things to animals should suffer and die in the same way 0 Jun 19, 2025
20,971 Lenore B. Our "Justice" system is grossly lenient on animal neglect, abuse, and torture offenders. This man did all of this and probably more. He is not worthy of living amongst us. He is evil and will hurt or kill again. Obviously he does not respect life. He doesn't deserve to live. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,970 Rose P. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,969 Andrea E. What a sick man. He should go to jail without parole. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,968 Diane L. Do the same thing to him. He won’t do it again and maybe others will learn what could happen to them and think twice before doing anything thing like this. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,967 Karen B. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,966 Terezinha M. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,965 Tammy S. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,964 shari o. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,963 justine o. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,962 Darren P. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,961 Jacqueline S. 0 Jun 18, 2025
20,960 Marlies R. Throw away the key! 0 Jun 17, 2025
20,959 Matthew O. 0 Jun 17, 2025
20,958 Damian W. 0 Jun 17, 2025
20,957 Cassandra W. 0 Jun 17, 2025
20,956 Brendan W. 0 Jun 17, 2025