The Boynton Beach Police Department said that an investigation into an anonymous tip about neglected dogs, led to the arrest of 42-years-old JOANNE MAXIS (pictured).
According to the incident report, on March 23, 2022, Boynton Beach Police responded to a residence on 2091 Northwest 2nd Street, Boynton Beach after a citizen, who does not wish to be identified, saw two adult Pitbulls and two Pitbull puppies running loose the prior evening.
The complainant told officers that all the dogs were emaciated.
One of the responding officers made contact with MAXIS and asked her how many dogs she had. According to the report, MAXIS stated she had two adult Pitbulls and adamantly denied that there were any puppies on the premises.
The officer explained to MAXIS that someone had called police and expressed concern for her animals. MAXIS replied: “They’re fine.”
The woman then took the officer into her backyard and as per the incident report, the officer found two adult Pitbulls “housed together inside a wire crate that was positioned under the overhang of a small open back porch. The crate was grossly undersized and there was a thick build-up of feces, dirt, and miscellaneous trash/debris at the bottom of the crate. The crate was void of food/water and both dogs were emaciated with rib, hip, and spine bones visible. There was litter scattered on the back porch and putrid stench of feces and urine permeated the area.”
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), on that day the outside temperature was 81 degrees.
The officer asked MAXIS why the dogs did not have any food or water and she said: “They eat.”
At that point the officer advised MAXIS that the physical condition of the dogs and the manner in which they were confined constituted animal cruelty. When she was given an opportunity to willingly relinquish custody of the dogs, she immediately agreed to do so and said: “I don't have time for this.”
She told the officer that she had had the dogs for approximately one year. She signed animal history cards for both furbabies and hastily left the premises.
The officer then called in Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control to remove the Pitbulls and while waiting for an Animal Control Officer to arrive, he heard multiple dogs barking inside the residence. The officer contacted MAXIS via text and she admitted there were three puppies inside her home.
Officer Arguelles responded to the scene and took custody of the adult Pitbulls described as a red/white 1-year-old intact female named Gracie, and a black/white 1-year-old intact male named Max.
Gracie and Max were removed from the crate and provided with a bowl of fresh water which they rapidly drank before being transported to Animal Care and Control for evaluation, treatment, and safe keeping.
Later that afternoon, MAXIS agreed to surrender ownership of the three puppies so the police officer who had texted her and ACO Arguelles returned to the property and removed the furbabies who were approximately six months old and visibly underweight. The puppies were taken to Peggy Adam's Animal Rescue League to be evaluated.
Meanwhile, at Animal Care and Control, Dr. Virginia Sayre examined Gracie and Max and on May 11, 2022, she submitted her findings and the diagnostic tests results to Boynton Beach Police.
Gracie weighed 34 pounds upon intake and was presented with “the tops of the lumbar vertebrae visible and pelvic bones becoming prominent.” Gracie’s ribs “were easy to palpate and have no fat.” Dr. Sayre further noted Gracie “smelled of urine and feces.” Diagnostic tests revealed Gracie positive for hookworms. When Gracie was offered food, she ate well and in approximately three weeks while in Animal Care and Control's care, she gained 14 pounds, constituting a 30% increase in body weight.
As for Max, Dr. Sayre reported that he weighed 43 pounds upon intake and was presented with “all ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones easily visible.” Max had “muscle loss” and “no palpable fat on his body.” The furbaby was “mildly dehydrated” and just like Gracie, he “smelled of urine and feces.” Diagnostic tests revealed that Gracie was positive for hookworms. Gracie gained 10 pounds within approximately three weeks while in Animal Care and Control's care, constituting a 23% increase in body weight.
Dr. Sayre concluded that both Gracie and Max were suffering from “starvation” due to deprivation of adequate nourishment, as well as deprivation of basic medical care (hookworm infestation).
Boynton Beach Police arrested MAXIS on Monday, July 25, 2022, and booked her into the Palm Beach County Jail.
The incident report stated that based on all facts and evidence, specifically the fact that MAXIS’ inactions resulted in the excessive and repeated infliction on unnecessary pain and suffering to both dogs, probable cause existed to charge her with 2 counts of Felony cruelty to animals.
Additionally, based on the fact both Gracie and Max were confined in extremely unsanitary conditions and deprived of wholesome food and water during their confinement, probable cause also existed to charge MAXIS with 2 counts of unlawful confinement of animals/animal abandonment.
MAXIS was released after posting bond.
Online court records show that on August 4, 2022, MAXIS pleaded not guilty to the charges and that her arraignment has been scheduled for August 18, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.
Boynton Beach Police said in a news release that “Both adult dogs “Gracie” and “Max” were rehabilitated at Animal Care and Control and have since been adopted.♥️”
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