Plea deal expected for man accused of racial slur, dog attack in downtown Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) –  A man accused of calling a Black man a racial slur before setting his pit bull to attack two people in downtown Portland in May is expected to enter a plea deal in Multnomah County.

Zachary Hay, 29, had originally pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault and first-degree bias crime — but he is now scheduled for a plea hearing Tuesday.

According to a court affidavit, Hay had recognized one victim from their job as a security officer at a grocery store in downtown Portland before the attack, which took place near SW 13th Alder Street.

After Hay saw one of them, court documents reported that he became hostile and yelled, “Oh, you’re that n—– from Safeway.” 

Authorities said the targeted victim suffered “severe bites to his chest and hand” that “partially de-gloved his right thumb” and another person was injured in the groin area.

When contacted by police, Hay said his dog happened to get unleashed during the incident. A court affidavit shows Hays previously “claimed that two men had been aggressive with him and because of that, his dog had attacked them.”

Prior to the plea deal, Hay was potentially facing several decades in prison. His plea hearing is expected to take place early Tuesday afternoon.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.