REDMOND, OR -- A Redmond-area man is accused of beating his roommate’s dog to death, last week, and investigators are still searching for a motive. 

Witnesses called 911 to report seeing 39-year-old Jeffrey Taylor use his hands and feet to injure the dog in his front yard, on NE Yucca, just north of Redmond, Thursday afternoon. He allegedly threatened passers-by who tried to intervene. A state trooper and Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at the home just north of Redmond and stopped the attack. They provided first aid to the 17-year-old Australian Shepherd named Ashton, but he died at the scene. The dog’s owner was not home at the time. 

Taylor was taken to the hospital for evaluation and is charged with Animal Abuse. DCSO says he was cited in-lieu of going to jail. Due to privacy concerns, officials would not comment on the specific reason Taylor was not taken to jail, but said a citation is often issued in lieu of custody based on the charges, or if the suspect requires immediate medical or mental health care. They say his citation is still considered an arrest and "does not discount the seriousness of the alleged crimes."