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Michigan State University Health Physicist Allegedly Had Sex With Basset Hound
Michigan State University suspended Joseph Hattey after learning he was being investigated for bestiality.
A Michigan State University physicist allegedly had sex with a basset hound.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office charged Joseph Hattey, 51, with bestiality Monday for allegedly penetrating the dog with both his hand and penis.
Police don’t think he committed the acts on campus. It's not clear if the dog is his, but it is not believed to be owned by the university, where Hattey worked as a health physicist for the Environmental Health and Safety office and the school's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
The hound is now in the custody of Ingham County Animal Control.
Hattey pleaded not guilty and was given a $5,000 personal recognizance bond, which means he didn't need to post bail to get out of jail. He has been released, but he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the bestiality charges. A preliminary hearing, which will determine if Hattey will go to trial, has been set for June 21.
"These are merely allegations that have not been proven," Hattey's attorney, Alexander Rusek, told the Lansing State Journal. "Mr. Hattey pleaded not guilty in court today and looks forward to addressing the fact of the matter during the preliminary examination."
It is believed that the bestiality allegedly took place from January to March 2018, according to WBJK in Detroit. Michigan State University suspended him in April after learning that there was an investigation into whether he sexually abused a dog.
“The university has been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials on this matter,” Emily Guerrant, an MSU spokeswoman, said in a statement. “MSUPD is providing digital forensic support in the investigation.”
Hatter's arrest comes in the wake of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse trials, which drew worldwide attention. Michigan State University reached a $500 million settlement for the victims of former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in May. Nassar treated campus athletes and gymnasts at his office located at the school, which has been sharply criticized for ignoring the allegations against Nassar for years.
[Photo: Ingham County Sheriff’s Office]
