A Portland man is accused of animal neglect after he allegedly let his dog starve to death.
Husan Muldrew, 38, is accused of first-degree animal neglect after his dog, Knox, allegedly lost close to 100 pounds before his death.
The investigation into Muldrew began in October when he brought Knox, whose breed wasn’t specified in court records, to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, according to a probable cause affidavit. A veterinarian who examined him said he weighed just 25 pounds, was covered in feces and ulcers, had a blood pressure too low to read and experienced hypothermia and a slow heartbeat. Muldrew had told the doctor that Knox was 120 pounds when he got him, the affidavit said.
Due to his physical condition, the dog was euthanized after a recommendation from the vet.
An Oregon Humane Society special agent — who has legal authority to handle animal welfare investigations in the state — obtained a search warrant to examine Knox’s body.
During the procedure, officials saw no food in the dog’s stomach or intestines, and a veterinarian said it appeared as if he starved to death, according to the affidavit.
The agent then met Muldrew at his home, where Muldrew described Knox as a nice, chunky-sized dog when he got him. Muldrew told the agent he had Knox for about three to four months and didn’t take him to the veterinarian at any point before taking him to the emergency hospital.
According to court records, he said Knox had been eating and drinking fine in the weeks leading up to his death but that the day before Muldrew took him to the vet the dog didn’t have the strength to stand. When the agent asked Muldrew why he didn’t bring the dog to the veterinarian sooner, he said he didn’t have the money to do so.
In November, court records say the agent reviewed tissue samples of the dog that supported the claim that the dog starved to death. There were no abnormalities that would suggest any inflammation, infections or cancers. Knox’s bone marrow fat content was 2.2%, much lower than the average for dogs.
According to the affidavit, the necropsy report stated Knox “unnecessarily suffered for a period of weeks to months” and was euthanized “due to his advanced decompensated state as a direct result of chronic starvation.”
Muldrew couldn’t be reached for comment. He told KATU-TV he had been feeding his dog and had no idea how his dog died and why he weighed 25 pounds. He told the station he owned three dogs before and had no problems with them.
Muldrew is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4.
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