Drunk Man Sexually Assaulted Fiancee’s Dog ‘Out Of Anger,’ Animal Euthanized

An Oregon man who sexually assaulted his fiancée’s dog was sentenced to 60 days in prison Monday. The dog had to be euthanized due to extensive internal injuries.

The case began in November 2018 when the dog’s owner took the canine to an animal hospital amid concerns that she was sexually abused. An examination confirmed the abuse after which the puppy, a Lhasa Apso mix named Estrella, was euthanized.

According to a probable cause affidavit, an investigation began following which 52-year-old Fidel Lopez was taken into custody in February. He admitted to the crime and told police that the dog was lying beside him on the bed while his fiancée had gone out. He got frustrated when she did not respond to his calls and “out of anger” he sexually assaulted the dog. The man was drunk when the incident took place, the Oregon Live reported.

When the woman returned, she saw the dog hiding under the couch and whining. She then discovered injuries to the animal and rushed it to a hospital where she told the staff that her fiancé “displayed some potential bestiality tendencies.” The woman said Lopez had previously exposed his genitals to Estrella and had also told her about watching another person sexually assaulting a dog. Traces of the man’s DNA were found in the dog.

Lopez, who was in jail since his arrest, pleaded guilty to aggravated animal abuse and sexually assaulting an animal Monday. In addition to the jail sentence, Lopez was prevented from owning a dog for 15 years.

While sentencing, Multnomah County Judge Angel Lopez said, "If it could have been more, I would have gladly given you more," CW-affiliated television station KTLA reported.

Multnomah County Deputy DA Nicole Jergovic said “This case was prosecuted to the fullest extent possible under Oregon law. The torture and abuse that Estrella suffered is unimaginable. Under Oregon’s current sentencing guidelines, Fidel Lopez is receiving the maximum sentence based on the amount of time he has already served in custody and his lack of criminal history.”