UPDATE:
Court documents show the investigation into an MSU physicist accused of sexually assaulting a dog started with a Craigslist post.
Documents show that someone called Ingham County Animal Control in January to report a questionable Craigslist ad.
That eventually led investigators to evidence on Joseph Hattey's phone showing that he allegedly sexually assaulted the basset hound.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on Monday charged 51-year-old Joseph Hattey, of Holt, with two counts of committing a crime against nature, as known as bestiality.
The charge is a 15-year felony for allegedly penetrating a dog with both his hand and penis, according to a release by Schuette's office.
Hattey, a health physicist employed by Michigan State University, is not alleged to have conducted the acts on school grounds or with any animal owned by the university.
The Basset Hound named flash has been removed from harm and has been adopted out to a new home.
Hattey was arrested on the charges Monday afternoon. He was arraigned in Mason on a felony charge of sodomy. He was given a $5,000.00 personal recognizance bond. Hattey's next court appearance will be in front of Judge Boyd on June 14th, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.
Michigan State University released the following statement:
"Michigan State University was informed by the MSU Police Department on April 17 of a criminal investigation against Joseph Hattey, a health physicist with the Environmental Health and Safety Unit (note this position does not work with students, patients or animals). Hattey was immediately put on administrative suspension, pending the investigation. The university has been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials on this matter. MSUPD is providing digital forensic support in the investigation."
The Ingham County Sheriff's Office says the investigation started when animal control got a tip from the public.
