Oregon Man Accused of Lying About Puppy Theft, Now Wanted in Animal Abuse Case

GRESHAM, Ore. (Nov 28, 2025) — A Gresham man who told police his 9-month-old dog was stolen during a downtown robbery is now the focus of an animal abuse investigation, authorities said.

In mid-November, Christian Myles reported that four people assaulted him while he was walking in downtown Gresham and fled in a white SUV with his German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix, Shayla. Police said Myles was “highly intoxicated” and unable to identify the exact location where the alleged robbery occurred.

Days later, after extensive regional media coverage, a community member brought Shayla to the Gresham Police Department. When attempts to reach Myles were unsuccessful, Multnomah County Animal Services took custody of the dog.

Detectives continued reviewing Myles’ account and obtained surveillance footage from several businesses in the area. Investigators said they found video showing Myles with Shayla near a downtown bar, where he was seen repeatedly striking the dog. Minutes later, Myles became involved in a physical altercation with another bar patron. A separate community member then took Shayla “out of concern for the dog’s safety,” police said.

Based on the investigation, detectives concluded Myles’ report of being robbed by four individuals was fabricated. Police are now attempting to locate and arrest him on charges including Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree and Initiating a False Report.

While police expressed gratitude that a bystander intervened to protect Shayla, they also noted that efforts to informally rehome her were “inappropriate and potentially illegal.” Authorities urged anyone who witnesses animal abuse to call 911.

Shayla remains in the care of Multnomah County Animal Services.

All suspects believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law