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The Hillsboro Tribune Friday, March 8, 2013NEWS A3Dyed dog prompts bias assaultArrests made afterman attacked withfist, tool in busyHillsboro intersectionBy JIM REDDENThe Hillsboro TribuneDavid Beltier, the victim inlast week’s alleged bias assaultin Hillsboro, is gratefulfor all the support he and hispartner have received fromthe community.“Everybody has been so supportive.It’s really nice,” saidBeltier.The incident began when“I wasshouting athim to justknock it off,we didn’tdo anythingto deservethis.”— Jeremy Mark,friend of biasassault victimBeltier andJeremy Markwere walkingnear Northwest185th Avenueand EvergreenParkwaylast Friday afternoonwiththeir poodle,Beauty, whosefur was dyedpink. The dog’sappearance apparentlyenragedGeorgeAllen Mason,Jr., who was driving by with hiswife, Saraya Gardner.“The guy who attacked us,he was turning left and he wasalready yelling at us, saying‘You f—-ing fags, this is un-American, your poodle is thewrong color,” said Beltier. “Heinstantly speeds up, makes a U-turn, gets out of his car and heliterally hits me in the back —in the middle of the crosswalkon 185th.”Tool attackAccording to Beltier, Masonreturned to his car, grabbed along screwdriver or wrench,and returned to attack himagain, hitting him in the back ofthe head with it.“I was shouting at him to justknock it off, we didn’t do anythingto deserve this,” saidMark, who was holding Beautywhen the attack occurred. “Tojust get out of your car all of asudden because you don’tagree with someone’s pink poodle— that’s just unheard of.I’ve never seen such a thing —especially in such a busy intersectionin the middle of broaddaylight.”Other motorists immediatelycame to help, running Masonoff and getting his license platenumber.“It was just amazing. A lot ofthe community members herein Tanasbourne and Hillsborostarted honking their horns athim, shouting at him to knockit off and get off. One of themeven blocked his escape route.He tried to go in the oppositedirection of traffic to escape.And that’s how they got his licenseplate number. If it wasn’tfor them he probably couldhave gotten away,” added Beltier.Hillsboro police located Mason’svehicle early the nextmorning. They arrested himand his wife. Mason is chargedwith Assault 2, Unlawful Use ofa Weapon, Reckless Drivingand Intimidation 2, a biascrime. Garner is charged withInterfering with a Police Officerfor her reluctance to cooperatewith the investigation.Beltier is pleased Mason ischarged with a bias crime.“I’m personally happy (to) apoint, but I also hope that whateverhe gets sent to, I hope theyput him through a program,maybe to teach him about diversity,counseling, letting himknow that this is not acceptable.It’s 2013, things change,”said Beltier, who did not requirehospitalization.Beltier is a Portland CommunityCollege student with a fulltimefood-server job. He movedto the area three years ago tobe with Mark. They live on theborder of Beaverton and Hillsboro,and the attack happenedin Hillsboro.As for their dogs being dyedunusual colors, Beltier said afemale friend suggested doingit for fun because he was feelingstressed out by work andschool.“All we used was Kool-Aidfor this. Kool-Aid and a spraybottle. We just sprayed on topof her coat. It’s already washingoff,” Beltier says.Human Rights Council Weighs inThe pair have two otherdogs. Muffin, a Brijon Frise, isteal. Princess, a Maltese, ispurple.“Pet [stores] called to saythey would be there for us if weneeded anything,” said Beltier.On Monday afternoon, theHuman Rights Council ofWashington County released astatement deploring the incident.It read: “In light of thereported act of hate-motivatedviolence, the Human RightsCouncil of Washington Countywants to unequivocally statethat it deplores and condemnssuch behavior. These kinds ofevents are thankfully rare inour county, but it is still a sadreminder that such humanrightsviolations still occur soblatantly.“The council appeals to thecommunity to remain vigilantabout human rights, and thatwe all join in defending them.We need to stand together andsend a strong message thatsuch behavior will not be toleratedin our community.”According to Hillsboro PoliceDepartment spokesman Lt.Mike Rouches, the most recentprevious suspected hate crimeoccurred about three years ago.In that incident, someone threwa plastic bag — containing arock and a piece of paper depictinga swastika — into a yard.The residents of the house werenot Jewish and the police didDavid Beltier ofHillsboro (left) wasassaulted March 1 as heand his partner, JeremyMark, were walking oneof their three dogs nearNorthwest 185th Avenueand Evergreen Parkway.The canine’s dyed fur(Beltier and Mark usedKool-Aid to effect thechange) apparentlyenraged George AllenMason Jr., who attackedBeltier and whom policelater arrested.COURTESY PHOTO: KOIN LOCAL 6not discover who did it.Ellen Hansen of KOIN Local 6 contributedto this story.CORNELL ESTATESwww.legacyhealth.orgMy life,my legacy...my arm.This is my best friend.And us having an awesome time.This is my favorite cup,from my favorite shop.This is the doctor who fixed my arm.That day he was like my best friend.Just without the big foam finger.This is my life.And this is my legacy.Lifeis aboutmoments,createyourstoday!Call us today for a complimentary lunch and inquireabout our affordable rates to fit your budget.503-640-28842013.030813Open: Monday - Friday8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.www.vandykeappliance.com4 PIECE STAINLESSSTEEL PACKAGESPECIAL BUY! 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