FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Douglas County Family Faces Felony Measure 11
Charges After Attempting to Protect Dog:
Law Firm Requests Witnesses of Animal Abuse to Come Forward
Eugene, Oregon – 10/18/2024-A Douglas County family is facing legal charges following an incident involving the attempted purchase of a dog from a Canyonville homeless man they believed was mistreating the animal. While returning from a fishing trip up Days Creek, Lane Gentry, accompanied by his girlfriend and brothers, observed a man allegedly handling his dog abusively.
Concerned for the dog’s well-being, Mr. Gentry sought to negotiate the purchase of the dog to ensure its safety. His mother, Christina Sorensen, arrived with additional funds to assist in the transaction. Upon approaching the man to offer the money, he reportedly became agitated, allegedly dragging the dog away and using offensive language, including racial slurs.
While Mr. Gentry was attempting to speak to the man, the man was seen throwing a stone at Mr. Gentry, which under Oregon law would be Attempted Assault II (assault with a dangerous weapon). According to witnesses, the dog owner was the first person to attempt to strike out with physical violence in response to attempted communications.
Witnesses state that he later brandished what appeared to be a glass pipe and spit on Mr. Gentry. Thereafter, Mr. Gentry escorted the man to the ground in an effort to protect himself and the dog. Amid the chaos, the dog escaped and eventually entered one of the family vehicles. The dog was later taken to a local private animal shelter for safety.
Law enforcement subsequently retrieved the dog from the shelter and returned it to the man. Mrs. Sorensen has been charged with Robbery in the Second Degree, which carries a mandatory 70-month minimum sentence under Oregon’s Ballot Measure 11. She has retained Eugene attorney Mike Arnold for her defense.
“We’ve learned that the animal abuse allegations are not an isolated incident, as many community members have come forward to say they’ve witnessed abuse,” stated Mr. Arnold. “Some witnesses have claimed they went to the police to plead for protection for the innocent animal, with no action being taken.”
“Our traditional communities are under attack by lawlessness. Families who have lived in rural areas and small towns in Oregon for generations no longer live in high-trust communities,” Mr. Arnold continued. “When authorities refuse to act to protect innocent people and animals in the community, citizens are naturally inclined to intervene to help safeguard the vulnerable. We intend to present a defense of ‘Choice of Evils’ to attempt to resolve this case. While reasonable people could disagree about the appropriate actions to take when an animal’s well-being is threatened, no reasonable person can claim that Mrs. Sorensen or Mr. Gentry deserve felony charges for their good-faith attempt to mitigate harm to this defenseless companion animal.”
“Our society is in a downward decline towards degeneracy and lawlessness, and in times like these, it is incumbent on our neighbors to work together to keep our communities safe,” he added. “However, sometimes mistakes happen or people overreach even when trying their best to do what is right and just. Thank God no person was harmed in this situation. All we can do now is pray that the dog is safe and that the county takes action to protect her and the community from further risk.”
To watch attorney Mike Arnold’s statement on “Defending the Voiceless,” please visit:
/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Justice-for-Voiceless-by-Mike-Arnold.mp4. This video is available for reproduction and sharing by news outlets and social media platforms, provided it is credited to the Law Office of Mike Arnold and not altered in any way.
If you know a witness to the alleged animal abuse, please contact:
- Law Office of Mike Arnold
- Phone: 541-359-4585
- Email: animalabuse at mike arnold dot com
- Website: www.MikeArnold.com/about
About the Law Office of Mike Arnold
The Law Office of Mike Arnold is an Oregon-based law firm specializing in high-conflict litigation. Founded by Mike Arnold, a seasoned attorney with a reputation for vigorous representation and high-level strategic legal thinking, the firm is dedicated to defending the rights of individuals facing serious legal challenges. With a commitment to personalized service and a track record of successful outcomes, the Law Office of Mike Arnold strives to provide exceptional legal counsel to clients statewide.
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