Man hurt in dispute over dog

By Steve Powell | The Olympian • Published July 04, 2008

A Centralia man is being treated at Providence Centralia Hospital after attempting to stop a man from beating a puppy, police say.

The unnamed victim, 39, called 9-1-1, alleging he had been assaulted with a chain and a slingshot.

Lewis County sheriff's deputies later arrested Victor Esparza-Hernandez, 44, of Centralia.

The victim was in the 1200 block of Centralia Avenue when he reportedly saw Esparza-­Hernandez choking, pulling and beating a black lab mix puppy with a chain. The victim told deputies he yelled at Esparza-Hernandez. who allegedly hit him in the legs with the chain.

Esparza-Hernandez then fled but came back with a slingshot, pelting the victim with rocks in the neck and shoulder, police reports say.

The victim took cover behind a truck, but Esparza-­Hernandez reportedly picked up a "Frisbee-sized" rock and threw it at him, striking him in the back.

Esparza-Hernandez was captured after deputies chased him on foot. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault.

The puppy, which was not injured, belonged to a friend of Esparza-Hernandez's, police reports say.

Steve Powell is The Olympian's city editor. He can be reached at 360-754-5423 or spowell@theolympian.com.