Michigan State health physicist accused of having sex with basset hound out on bond

INGHAM COUNTY, Mich. (WJBK) - A Michigan State University employee is facing criminal charges for bestiality.

FOX 2: "Joseph, just a couple questions?"

"No comment," Joseph Hattey said. 

FOX 2: "Please. who is Flash the basset hound?"

"I don't want to be on camera, no comment," Hattey said. 

Minutes after being arraigned on two counts of bestiality for allegedly having sex with a basset hound named "Flash," 50-year-old Joseph Hattey walked out of the Ingham County Jail.

FOX 2: "Is this your dog?"

He entered a plea of not guilty and was allowed to home on a personal recognizance bond.

Hattey's neighbors say they did remember him having a basset hound as a pet. 

A basset hound, the alleged victim here, is now in the care of animal control. 

Once animal control learned what was happening they got a hold of investigators at the sheriff's office, who then turned it over to the attorney general.

According to the attorney general's office the crimes of sodomy with the dog happened for two months between January and April of this year. It is a crime punishable by 15 years in prison.

FOX 2: "Are you saying you are innocent, that this is all just fabricated?"

Hattey walked away from us, without giving any explanation but he won't be going back to work anytime soon.

Back in April, Michigan State University was notified of the investigation and suspended Hattey from his position as a health physicist at MSU pending the outcome of this case.

FOX 2: "Anything you want to say to the students, MSU, anything at all?"

Investigators and MSU both say the crimes happened in Holt, not on campus, and not involving any animals associated with the university.

Hattey will be back in court on June 14th in Ingham County.