RESCUED: 2 Pit Bulls Found Emaciated With No Fat On Bodies, 3 Underweight Puppies.

Boynton Beach’s Joanne Maxis Arrested For Animal Abuse

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – Boca Post (BocaPost.com) — A Boynton Beach woman has been arrested and charged with two counts of “CONSERVATION-ANIMALS – TORTURE INFLICT PAIN SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJ DEATH”, according to jail records released to Boca Post by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Joanne Maxis, 42, of the 2000 block of NW 2nd Street in Boynton Beach, has been arrested Monday by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. Boca Post has been notified that the charges filed are “CONSERVATION-ANIMALS – TORTURE INFLICT PAIN SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJ DEATH”.

According to an arrest affidavit submitted by the Boynton Beach Police Department, an investigation started after neighbors complained about Pit Bulls and puppies, belonging to Maxis, who they observed running loose one evening. The neighbors reported that they observed the emaciated dogs foraging for food on the ground.

When investigators made contact with Maxis in March of 2022, they asked about the Pit Bulls, Maxis responded with “they’re fine”. Maxis then showed the investigators her back yard where they found two adult Pit Bulls together inside a “grossly undersized” crate which was full of feces, dirt, and trash. Investigators say there was no food or water in the filthy crate.

The crate was void of food/water and both dogs were emaciated with ribs, hip, and spine bones visible. There was litter scattered on the back porch and a putrid stench of feces and urine permeated the area. Per NOAA, the outside temperature was 81 degrees.

When investigators asked Maxis why the dogs were deprived of food/water and she replied “they eat”. Investigators then advised Maxis that the physical condition of the dogs and the manner in which they were confined constitute animal cruelty, Maxis was given an opportunity to willingly relinquish custody of the dogs and she immediately agreed to do so, stating “I don’t have time for this”. Maxis signed animal history cards for both dogs, noting that they had been in her possession for approximately one year. Maxis then hastily left the premises.

The dogs were then rescued by PBC Animal Care and Control and given food and water, which they devoured.

While authorities were working on rescuing the two adult Pit Bulls, they heard barking and inside the residence. Investigators texted Maxis who admitted that she had puppies in the house. Maxis agreed to surrender ownership of the puppies later in the afternoon. The puppies were later transferred to Peggy Adam’s Animal Rescue League for treatment and safe-keeping. The puppies were approximately six months old and visibly underweight, but not emaciated.

Veterinarian Dr. Virginia Sayre, OVM, of the Palm Beach County Animal Care And Control, says that both dogs were suffering from “starvation” due to deprivation of adequate nourishment, as well as deprivation of basic medical care (hookworm infestation).

Both of the adult Pit Bulls saw a 23% and 30% increase in body weight in only 3 weeks of being cared for by PBC ACC.

Maxis was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 11:04 on Monday morning and released on $6,000 later that evening. The arrest was a result of a warrant filed in July of 2022.

Boca Post has learned that Maxis has several citations for violating Boynton Beach ordinances related to animals, including:

• June 23rd, 2022 – Fail to vaccinate the dog for rabies
• June 23rd, 2022 – Fail to properly secure dog (“Kobe”, Pit Bull, M)
• June 23rd, 2022 – Fail to license dog (“Kobe”, Pit Bull, M)
• March 23rd, 2022 – Fail to license dog after warning (“Max”, Pit Bull)
• March 23rd, 2022 – Fail to license dog after warning (“Max”, Pit Bull)