Portland transitional housing resident accused of slashing dog with a machete

John Ross Ferrara
·2 min read
2

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 53-year-old man living in a transitional housing property in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood was arrested for multiple animal abuse charges on April 21 after he allegedly slashed another resident’s dog with a machete.

An affidavit was filed on April 22, documenting evidence collected by Portland Police Bureau Officer Sean Burns, who responded to the scene of the crime shortly before 2 p.m. The affidavit states multiple witnesses saw Clifford Apartments resident Ricardo Perez-Rodriguez enter the building on Morrison Street and swing a machete at a fellow resident, slicing her dog in the face.

Police: 3 armed robberies within hour on Portland’s west side possibly connected

Perez-Rodriquez told officers that he used the machete after the dog tried to attack him. However, apartment employee Yasmin Garrett told the officer that Perez-Rodriquez used the machete after he started an argument with the resident, telling her to “shut up.”

“Officer Burns reported that he reviewed surveillance video of the incident that was consistent with Garrett and [and the victim’s] statements,” the affidavit reads.

Perez-Rodriquez faces charges of first and second-degree animal abuse, two counts of attempting to commit a Class B felony, and two coins of unlawful use of a weapon.

Investigation underway for Benton County hit-run that left woman dead

The Clifford is an affordable housing project that offers 88 studio apartments for people with “very high barriers to housing, including people leaving homelessness, transitioning out of prison or jail, and those in recovery,” the Portland Housing Bureau website states.

Portland Housing Bureau spokesperson Gabriel Mathews told KOIN 6 News that the Clifford Apartments are owned by Innovative Housing, Inc., and that the PHB is not involved with enforcing any evictions at the property. The property is managed by Pilina Property Management, according to PHB.

“While PHB regulates affordability at the Clifford Apartments, our involvement in the building essentially stops there,” Mathews said in a statement.

KOIN 6 reached out to Innovative Housing, Inc. and Perez-Rodriquez’s attorney for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.