Two people charged in the animal cruelty case that killed a 1-year-old pit bull pleaded not guilty on Friday.

Christopher Maxwell, who is from the Bronx, is accused of dragging a 1-year-old pit bull and setting it on fire. He was arrested earlier this month.

Latisha Ellis, 32, of Albany, was charged Thursday with aggravated cruelty to animals and torturing or injuring animals.

Investigators found Ellis and Maxwell were co-owners of that dog.

The allegation is that Maxwell and Ellis went away for more than week, leaving their two dogs in a case without food or water.

When they returned, a 1-year-old pit bull mix was doused with lighter fluid and set on fire.

As Maxwell and Ellis were in Albany City Court, dozens of angry and outraged activists were outside. The protesters came from throughout the Capital Region, and beyond, from various animal shelters, and multiple animal rights organizations.

Learn about how they’d like to see stiffer penalties for animal abusers, by watching the video of Dan Levy’s story.