The search continues for a black Labrador retriever allegedly abused in a disturbing incident caught on a Northeast Portland apartment building's security camera. Amid the investigation, OregonLive reports that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the "safe recovery" of the animal.
Isaac Booker Justham, 25, has been arrested and faces charges following the release of a video by the Portland Police Bureau, which depicts a man hitting and kicking a dog. Justham has been indicted on multiple counts of aggravated animal abuse, as KOIN.com reports. Despite the apprehension of the suspect on Aug. 17, the dog's location remains unknown. Portland police are urging anyone with knowledge of the situation to come forward. The individual in question was identified and apprehended in the Pearl District after a flood community tips.
Details of the abuse have been made public through the surveillance footage. In the early August video, Justham appears to be striking the canine with a rope and then hanging it from a fire extinguisher before kicking it. According to a statement obtained by KGW, the police have suggested that Justham has not been cooperative in divulging the whereabouts of the dog, but there is hope that the dog is still alive.
PETA has intervened, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "This dog is surely frightened and traumatized and may have sustained serious injuries,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a press release, expressing urgency for the dog's recovery and care. The police and PETA continue to appeal to the public, asking anyone with information to come forward. Those who might be able to assist are encouraged to contact Portland police, potentially leading to a positive outcome for the afflicted dog and the community at large.
