Man convicted of assaulting Ore. police dog

PORTLAND — A homeless man who went over a bluff with a Gresham police dog has been found guilty of assaulting a law enforcement animal.

John C. Milam, 48, who has been in jail for more than a year, was sentenced Tuesday to time served and three years of post-prison supervision. He also owes Gresham police $9,500.

Police said Milam, with the dog in his grasp, rolled down a 20- to 30-foot embankment and then plunged another 100 feet toward the Sandy River.

Milam broke his back and his broken ribs punctured his lung. Koda, the 3-year-old dog, dislocated the bones and tore ligaments and tendons in one of his paws.

During the trial, defense attorney Ulanda Watkins said her client didn't mean to harm Koda. She said the wanted sex offender had mental problems and was confused and disoriented when police arrived in the dark.

But prosecutor Heidi Moawad called a witness who testified that Milam said if police ever came looking for him in the woods, he would throw them off a cliff.

And if police sent a K-9 after him, he'd throw the dog off, too.

The opportunity presented itself July 11, 2007, when the dog led officers to the hiding spot in the woods.

Gresham police Officer Shawn Debler testified that he repeatedly yelled "Police!" and warned Milam that the dog would bite him if he didn't surrender. The dog found him and bit him, according to police. That's when the pair tumbled.

Milam testified that he doesn't remember the dog, but remembers standing near the edge of the drop-off, then free-falling to the ground below.

"It just gave way, and I fell," Milam said.

Judge Edward Jones issued the guilty verdict, saying Milam knew what he was doing.

Koda underwent two surgeries and had to retire after capturing 50 suspects in his nine-month career. He is said to now be afraid of the night.