Target: Nathan Vasquez, District Attorney of Multnomah County, Oregon
Goal: Seek the maximum lawful penalties, an extended ban on animal ownership, restitution, and mandated counseling for the individual who allegedly beat a puppy and then filed a false robbery claim.
Authorities reportedly uncovered surveillance footage showing a man repeatedly striking a 19-month-old puppy near a downtown bar before an unrelated bystander removed the dog out of concern. The same individual allegedly told police later that four people had robbed him and stolen the dog, a claim detectives determined was false after reviewing video from multiple businesses. The puppy, apparently emaciated and in need of care, was turned over to animal services and is now safe.
Investigators allege the man not only abused the animal but also initiated a false report, diverting public resources and risking further harm to the dog. Detectives are seeking to arrest him on aggravated animal abuse in the first degree, initiating a false report, and related offenses. The conduct described—repeated blows, visible distress, and a subsequent allegedly fabricated story—demands a strong prosecutorial response.
Meaningful accountability helps deter future cruelty and protects vulnerable animals. Appropriate consequences can also include evaluation and treatment that address the roots of violent behavior. The prosecutor should pursue the maximum charges and, upon any conviction, seek the highest lawful sentence, strict probation terms, long-term bans on animal ownership, restitution for veterinary costs, and mandated counseling.
PETITION LETTER:
District Attorney Vasquez,
We are calling on your office to pursue robust accountability in the case where a man allegedly beat a 19-month-old puppy on camera and then fabricated a story about being robbed by multiple assailants. According to police, surveillance footage appears to show the suspect repeatedly striking the dog near a bar. A concerned community member then removed the animal for safety, and detectives later determined the robbery claim was false.
This case purportedly involves both violent conduct toward an animal and the initiation of a false report that consumed public resources and could have jeopardized the dog’s welfare further. The facts as reported—repeated blows, visible distress, and a staged narrative—warrant a vigorous response that prioritizes public safety and animal protection.
We respectfully urge you to seek the maximum lawful penalties and, if there is a conviction, to request an extended prohibition on animal ownership, restitution for veterinary care, and mandated psychological evaluation and counseling. Firm, carefully tailored consequences can help prevent future cruelty and reinforce that deliberate harm to animals will not be tolerated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Plato Terentev
