A 27-year-old inmate at Genesee County Jail in Michigan has been charged with assaulting a beloved 13-month-old jail comfort dog.
The attack occurred on September 24, when Romeo Maxwell, an inmate at the jail, struck the small dog with enough force to cause a concussion and damage to her eye.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and prosecutor David Layton spoke about the severity of the incident and the broader implications of animal abuse in relation to human violence. Sheriff Swanson said: “We take matters whether they be vague or small seriously when it comes to assault.”
The incident has prompted widespread shock and disgust, and Swanson said: “Josie is not even 15 pounds, and she was assaulted while she was simply doing her job.” After the attack, Josie was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where she received an MRI to assess potential brain injuries, with medical costs totaling in the thousands.
From left: A picture of Josie, the jail support dog; and a screenshot from footage of the attack. The county sheriff has said: “We take matters whether they be vague or small seriously when it comes to assault.”
Genesee County Sheriff’s Office
Prosecutor Layton expressed his dismay at the attack, saying: “As a dog lover, it broke my heart when I watched this video.” He said that Maxwell has been charged with serious offenses under Michigan law, including assaulting a corrections deputy, and added that he has pledged to seek the harshest possible penalties for the inmate.
In a post shared on Facebook, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office shared video footage of the attack, alongside a caption that read: “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, excitedly greeting 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.” The video and post have drawn significant public outcry and support for Josie.
The incident also sparked discussion about the broader concerns highlighted by animal abuse. Sheriff Swanson said: “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.” He added that Maxwell had a history of assault against deputies, with two separate incidents occurring in the previous year involving attacks on law enforcement personnel.
The prosecutor echoed this sentiment, sharing his experience in handling similar cases where individuals who harmed animals later went on to commit acts of violence against humans. “It happens more than I want to talk about,” Layton said.
Despite the traumatic attack, the spaniel is reportedly recovering and has returned to her role at the jail, bringing comfort to inmates and staff alike. “Josie is doing well,” Sheriff Swanson said. “She’s going to continue to serve.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
