Camas man accused of abusing girlfriend’s aunt’s dog

A Camas man was in Clark County Superior Court on Friday after allegedly abusing a dog belonging to his girlfriend’s aunt.

Dustin R. Hadley, 20, appeared on suspicion of first-degree animal cruelty and third-degree malicious mischief, court records show.

Camas police responded about 7:15 p.m. Thursday to a residence in the 200 block of Southeast James Street for a report of animal abuse. The caller said Hadley’s girlfriend, Danielle Johnson, had witnessed him injure the dog, an affidavit of probable cause states.

It’s unclear in court documents if the abuse occurred at that location or at a residence in the 100 block of Southeast Zenith Street, where Hadley lives with Johnson and her aunt. Court records also don’t state when the alleged abuse occurred or how severe it was.

According to The Columbian’s news partner KATU-TV, Hadley repeatedly kicked the dog, a miniature dachshund, and threw it across the room earlier Thursday. The abuse reportedly began after the dog’s barking woke Hadley up.

Hadley told police he suffers from bipolar disorder, which he doesn’t take medication for, and has anger issues, the affidavit said.

In addition to assaulting the dog, Johnson said Hadley broke her cellphone two days prior. She said Hadley was using her cellphone when he became upset that “her phone was not good” and threw it against a wall, breaking the screen, court records state.

During his court appearance, Judge John Fairgrieve granted Hadley supervised release. He will be arraigned Tuesday.