Man Suing Northeast Portland Tapas Bar After Backing His Benz Into Its Bull Statue

A Portland man is suing Northeast Portland's Blue Agave restaurant, saying he punctured his Mercedes Benz on the tail of the tapas bar's life-size metal bull statue.

The suit, filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Wednesday, says when Paul Johnson tried to parallel park his Mercedes ML 350 in front of the restaurant at 2838 NE Glisan St., "his vehicle struck the sharp metal tail of the bull."

The suit also claims that, though it is a life-size bull statue, Johnson says it was "obscured by a tree and planter."

Mark Olmsted, Johnson's attorney, told WW that Johnson tried to work with the restaurant directly to fix the damage to his car, but was stonewalled and not given any compensation.

The incident also got Blue Agave the horns of Portland's code enforcement: following the June 19 bull-piercing, the suit claims, the city sent a letter demanding Blue Agave move the statue from the sidewalk, calling it "unlawful obstruction."

Johnson is asking for $1,226.81 in damages for property damage and loss of use of his vehicle.

Calls to Blue Agave were not returned immediately.

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