Bend man accused of beating, dragging his dog on NE Third Street arrested on animal abuse charges
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Bend man has been arrested on animal abuse charges, accused of beating his dog in public view on a busy northeast Bend street, police said Tuesday.
Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated man who was beating his dog on Third Street near NE Olney Avenue, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.
When officers arrived, they located 36-year-old Kyle Jensen Strong walking his bike southbound on NE Third Street with a dog on a leash, Miller said.
“Strong denied hitting his dog, but witnesses approached our officers to provide multiple videos and witness statements,” Miller said in a news release. “The videos showed Strong repeatedly hitting, grabbing and dragging the dog, a brown Labrador named Freya.”
Strong was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and charged with three counts of second-degree animal abuse, a Class B misdemeanor.
Miller said the dog was taken by officers to an emergency veterinarian for treatment of injuries to the pads of both of her front paws.
An officer obtained a warrant to maintain control of Freya, and the dog was later transferred from the veterinarian’s office to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, where she was preparing to be processed Tuesday, a representative told KTVZ News.
Court records show Strong was arraigned Monday afternoon on the three charges that he recklessly caused injury to the dog, a female brown lab.
Circuit Judge Alison Emerson set bail at $5,000 and ordered Strong not to use or possess alcohol or frequent places where they are the main item for sale, and not to possess any domestic animals.
However, jail records show Strong remained held without bail Tuesday, accused of two probation violations.
Strong is due back in court for a plea hearing next Monday. A motion hearing is set for next Tuesday on the state’s petition for forfeiture of the impounded dog.