Gene David Fosdick Jr. also must attend a class specially designed for him by the Oregon Humane Society on how to care for his dog, Peanut. Authorities plan to eventually return the dog to Fosdick.
A maintenance worker spotted Gene David Fosdick Jr. and the dog on surveillance video at the North Kerby Avenue apartment complex on Jan. 7. Fosdick told Multnomah County Sheriff's Detective Ken Yohe that he was high on cocaine at the time.
Over the course of an hour, the video shows Fosdick rinsing the dog off in a sink, drying it with paper towels, then excessively rubbing the dog's genitals and slapping it and shaking it in a rough manner.
Deputy district attorney Nicole Jergovic described Fosdick's behavior as odd and concerning, but said Fosdick wasn't aggressively beating the dog. She believes his behavior was driven by his cocaine use. Fosdick told the detective that he loves his dog, and that he wasn't trying to hurt it.
He was charged with first-degree aggravated animal abuse and sexual assault of an animal. Today, he was charged with a third count, animal neglect. Wearing a jean jacket, black pants and white athletic shoes, he stood with his hands clasped before the judge and pleaded no contest to animal neglect.
Circuit Judge Christopher Marshall ordered Fosdick to return to court in one year. If he follows all laws and completes the drug evaluation, goes to drug treatment if directed and attends the Humane Society class, the judge will dismiss the animal-neglect charge against him. And the prosecutor's office also won't pursue any other charges against him.
Fosdick has previously been convicted of drug possession. At the time of his arrest, he was unemployed and taking medication for depression.
(The Oregonian - May 12, 2011)
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