Wanted dog abuser arrested in Pearl District

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A man sought for an "appalling attack" on a dog in early August was arrested Saturday and booked into the Multnomah County Jail for three felony charges.

Tips from the public helped police identify Isaac Booker Justham as the suspect in the attack on the dog in a Northeast Portland apartment building elevator on August 2.

Around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Justham was spotted in the Pearl District by Major Crimes Unit detectives, who called for help from Central Precinct officers. The 25-year-old, who was taken into custody at NW 13th and Flanders, told police he had just swallowed fentanyl.

He was taken to the hospital to be checked out, then was interviewed by detectives once he was medically cleared. Authorities said he did not provide any information on where the dog may be.

A surveillance video shows the dog being whipped inside the elevator by a man with a leash. When another person gets on the elevator, the whipping stops, but resumes again once that person left. The video also shows the man raising a heavy rope above his head with both hands before once again hitting the dog.

Investigators also provided information about the abuse that wasn't seen in the publicly-released video -- including that the dog was hung from a fire extinguisher and repeatedly kicked.

Justham was booked for 3 counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse along with several outstanding warrants.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information on where the dog might be is asked to contact PPB Detective Matthew Brown. The case number is 24-803427.