PORTLAND, Ore. — A 25-year-old man seen on camera apparently beating a dog in an elevator made his first court appearance Monday. Issac Justham entered a not guilty plea, and his bail was set at $30,000. He was arrested over the weekend in Northwest Portland after being spotted by police.
Surveillance video released by Portland police last week showed what appears to be Justham hitting a small black dog with a rope numerous times while in an elevator, then hanging it from a fire extinguisher and kicking it. A maintenance worker reported the abuse to the Oregon Humane Society.
A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson said the dozens of people called in saying they recognized Justham after the video was released publicly. Police spotted him Saturday afternoon and took him into custody. He was booked on three counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, as well as other outstanding warrants.
Police now want to know where the dog is, but they say so far Justham hasn't been cooperative about sharing the dog's whereabouts, even after two days in custody. A spokesperson told KGW police believe and hope the dog is still alive.