A Portland man was arrested Wednesday after authorities say he admitted to raping his fiancée’s dog, which later was euthanized after the sexual assault caused internal injuries.

Fidel Lopez, 51, told Portland police that he and the dog, a Lhasa Apso mix named Estrella, were lying in bed last November while his girlfriend was out, and he got upset when she wouldn’t respond to his calls and texts, according to a probable cause affidavit. Lopez said he’d been drinking alcohol at the time and “out of anger” sexually assaulted the dog, the affidavit said.

Lopez told police Estrella “seemed fine at the time,” the court documents said.

According to the affidavit, the girlfriend later brought the dog to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital after she heard Estrella whining while hiding under the couch and discovered blood and injuries to the animal. She told staff that her fiancé “displayed some potential bestiality tendencies,” mentioning that he showed his genitals to dogs and bragged about watching another person sexually assault a dog.

The girlfriend said Lopez had asked her if she’d consider getting a dog bigger than Estrella, the affidavit said.

A necropsy was performed on Estrella after she was euthanized. Traces of Lopez’s DNA were found in the dog, the affidavit said.

Lopez remains held in the Multnomah County Detention Center on Thursday on suspicion of first-degree aggravated animal abuse and sexual assault of an animal. According to court documents, the fiancée told authorities that she’d be concerned for her family’s safety and the safety of her other pet animals if Lopez was released from jail and that he’s lied about drug and alcohol use.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey

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