Dog Abuse Suspect Arrested In Hillsboro

HILLSBORO, OR — An arrest has been made in the dog abuse case first brought to police attention on July 17, after Sunshine Alexandria shared to her Facebook page a video of a man punching a leashed dog inside the Shell gas station convenience store on Southeast Baseline Street and Southeast Third Avenue in Hillsboro.

Around 10 p.m. July 19, Hillsboro police arrested William Edward Abbe, 47, on charges of attempted animal abuse, carrying a concealed weapon, and more. He was lodged at the Washington County Jail. His bail is set at $2,750.

On July 17, Abbe was reportedly seen abusing his self-described service dog Darnell, which Alexandria recorded on her cell phone shortly after the abuse began.

"My heart was racing. I'm a survivor of abuse, so it made me freeze. I didn't know what to do," Alexandria reportedly told KATU News, adding that the incident lasted about five minutes.

In the video, Abbe is seen swinging Darnell by his leash before shoving his knee into Darnell's side and punching Darnell repeatedly; Darnell's cries are audible in the video.

When asked how Hillsboro police charge animal abuse cases, HPD spokesman Lt. Henry Reimann told Patch that's where cases like this get tricky.

"Statutes say we have to show physical injury to the pet," Reimann said. "Initially, there's nothing there (physically representing injury), so we had to go with 'attempted abuse.'"

Reimann said police officials have requested x-rays for Darnell to check for any internal bruising — anything that could show the use of excessive force.

"When (Abbe) came in, you could sense his presence. He was angry. He was picking up his dog by the leash, off the ground, slammed his dog on the ground and was kicking it in the ribs and punching it in the ribs for not walking by his side," Alexandria told KGW News. "I'm just trying to make sure he couldn't see me recording because he was really scary and just angry… who knows what he would do."

According to Reimann, Abbe told officers that he is training Darnell to be a service dog, though he didn't have any accompanying paperwork to back up the claim.

The investigation is ongoing, Reimann said, noting Abbe's arraignment is scheduled for July 20 at 3 p.m.

Patch has reached out to Sunshine Alexandria and will update this post if she responds.

Photo Courtesy: Hillsboro Police Department