A dog named Fendi was so starved that testing later found just 1% fat in her bone marrow, compared with roughly 80% in a healthy animal, according to Portland police. The dog was found in a Southeast Portland backyard in the 13500 block of Southeast Harold Street after a neighbor sent officers video of an extremely underweight animal, and she did not survive the ordeal. A Multnomah County grand jury has now indicted a 45-year-old Portland woman on two counts of felony animal neglect.
According to rightnoworegon.com, the neighbor's video showing the underweight dog in the backyard prompted Portland police's East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team to follow up in early July. Officers visited the home twice before locating Fendi, who appeared extremely weak and had difficulty walking toward the sergeants who found her, per the same account. Ribs and other portions of her skeletal structure were clearly visible, and officers ultimately obtained a seizure warrant for her before removing her from the property.
Emergency Treatment Couldn't Save Fendi
Sergeants took Fendi to an emergency veterinarian once she was removed from the home, and Multnomah County Animal Services stepped in to assist with the investigation and take over her care, the report states. Fendi's health deteriorated even after treatment began, and Animal Services made the decision to humanely euthanize her given the severity of her condition, rightnoworegon.com reports. As the outlet notes, an indictment represents a formal accusation and does not establish guilt.
Forensic testing on Fendi's bone marrow told investigators just how dire her condition had become. Her bone marrow fat level, measured at approximately 1%, indicated an extreme level of starvation compared to the roughly 80% fat typically found in a healthy animal, according to the same source. Both vet records and forensic testing, along with witness information, were presented to the Multnomah County grand jury that returned the indictment.
Felony Counts Against Bradford
The grand jury indicted 45-year-old Khadija V. Bradford of Portland on two counts of first-degree animal neglect, which rightnoworegon.com describes as felony charges. Bradford was taken into custody Tuesday, Sept. 15, after an arrest warrant was issued, per that report. KATU reports that Portland police said Fendi was visibly emaciated and extremely weak, and that she was humanely euthanized because of severe neglect.
The precise criminal classification of first-degree animal neglect in Oregon is not entirely clear from public statutory sources. A statutory summary posted by law.justia.com describes the offense as a Class C felony when a person acts intentionally, knowingly or recklessly as to an animal's serious physical injury or death. Separately, an excerpt from the Oregon Legislature's own ORS 167 page states that first-degree animal neglect is a Class A misdemeanor, though that excerpt appears incomplete and references an exception detailed in a subsequent subsection. Neither source resolves the discrepancy on its own.
Police Urge Early Reporting
Portland police, per KATU's report, are encouraging community members to promptly report suspected animal abuse or neglect. Early reporting can give investigators and animal welfare professionals a chance to intervene before an animal's condition becomes life-threatening, according to the department's statement carried by the station. Fendi's case has become a stark illustration of what officials say happens when that window closes.
