Police are still investigating whether criminal animal abuse occurred when animal control officer Hoyt Stepp struck Dojie, 9, with his bite stick while responding to a call near the 600 block of Northwest Garibaldi Street in Hillsboro on Feb. 25.
Veterinarians removed the dog's right eye on Wednesday, said her owner Marlin Starr. Dojie returned home from a Clackamas animal clinic the following day, Starr said.
The black Labrador mix is trained to assist in water rescues during river rafting excursions, Starr said, but she now may have to retire. She has been sleeping often since returning home from the surgery.
"She'll bounce back, I know she will," said Starr, 40.
Starr's neighbors called animal control on Feb. 25 after another dog from his home left the backyard through an open gate and roamed the area, according to Lt. Michael Rouches, a Hillsboro police spokesman.
Stepp responded. He told police officers that Dojie aggressively approached him as he was trying to get the other dog to return to the home, and he struck her, Rouches said. Stepp left a note about the use of force to notify Starr, who was not home at the time.
Washington County Animal Services announced last week that Stepp would be on non-patrol duty until the police investigation has concluded.
Strong wind gusts likely blew the gate open, allowing the dogs to get free, Starr said. The dogs getting loose resulted in a fine of about $740.
Aggressive behavior is uncharacteristic for Dojie, Starr said, and he believes Stepp was overly aggressive. A CAT scan revealed that along with the damaged eye, Dojie had a damaged shoulder and a skull fracture, Starr said.
More than $3,000 has been raised through an online fund to pay for Dojie's medical bills, Starr said. He's anxious for the results of the police investigation.
"Once we have the truth," he said, "I'm sure we'll have justice for Dojie."
(Oregon Live - Mar 7, 2014)
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