GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. – Romeo Maxwell, 27, who is an inmate in Genesee County, viciously attacked Josie, the jail comfort dog.
The 13-month-old dog was viciously attacked on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.
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Officials say Josie started the day like any other as she performed her daily duties by greeting staff and inmates throughout the jail before the vicious attack.
“When inmates come to the Genesee County jail or any jail in America, nine out of 10 of them are addicted or co-addicted.
Six out of 10 of them are mentally ill. We’re stuck with homelessness, and when they go within the bullpen or general housing, they’re oftentimes just coming off detoxing, and we have male and female sides, so we send in our trustees to keep it clean and service whatever needs there are.
Deputies are there, and we send Josie in. Josie’s got a little badge, which was broken at the assault. She’s also got a vest, which is the use of this kind of a canine to de-escalate everything, and dogs can do that.”
Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson
Last week, while lying on a mat on the prison floor, Maxwell, accompanied by two other inmates and a prison worker, jumped up as Josie walked over to him and punched her as she came to him.
The punch was so vicious that it gave Josie a concussion. It also scraped the inside of her pupil, sending her to the Oakland County vet emergency where she stayed a day and a half.
She had to get an MRI due to officials believing she might have had a brain bleed.
With the help of Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson vowed to bring justice to animal abuse and the perpetrator of the crime, further protecting animals of all kinds.
“I’m a dog lover, and I’m an animal lover, and it broke my heart when I watched this video, and I think it’s going to do the same thing to you and your audiences,” said Leyton. “We charged the gentleman as harshly as possible under Michigan law.”
Officials believe that the charge is too low as it would be deemed as assault with intent murder if done to a human being. It could also be an assault with intent to do great bodily harm, which is punishable by a life sentence.
“We’ve established for years that if you assault, beat, torture, or starve an animal to death, you have a great likelihood that you’ll do it to a human,” said Swanson.
Maxwell is a third habitual offender, so the maximum penalty increases from four to eight years.
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