By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Dr. Becky Rhoades plays with a very healthy Mana. Rhoades,
a veterinarian with the Hawaiian Humane Society, has been acting
as a "foster parent" since the dog underwent surgeries in December
for two broken legs. She says that apart from an occasional limp
and a few scars, Mana has completely recovered.

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Humane Society
going to court over
ownership of dog

The society also wants to recover
money spent on care and surgery

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

A Waianae District Court judge will be asked to determine whether an abused dog should be returned to its owner or given up for adoption.

The case involves a 1-year-old terrier and basenji mixed dog named Mana.

According to the Hawaiian Humane Society, Mana suffered two broken legs Dec. 18 when her owner, Jerry Tong, threw the 12- to 15-pound animal out of his home and onto a porch.

A neighbor, Kimberly Fu, took the animal away from Tong and called police.

"We were just at home, and we heard banging and we heard the dog screaming," said Fu, who also is a Star-Bulletin clerk. "We saw him flying her out to the porch, and I think if we hadn't gotten out there in time, that would have been it for her."

Humane Society veterinarian Becky Rhoades said Tong pleaded no contest to animal cruelty and was fined $25 but refused to give up ownership of Mana.

"We're really hoping we can give the dog a new home, a better home, and get some of the restitution covered," Rhoades said.

She added that there is a good family that wants to adopt Mana.

Rhoades said the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in Waianae District Court.

By Becky Rhoades, Special to the Star-Bulletin
Mana, last Dec. 19, recuperating at the
Hawaiian Humane Society after surgery.

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The Humane Society is also seeking restitution of the $2,100 it has spent on the dog's care and two surgeries to repair Mana's legs. It would like to see restrictions put on Tong, as a condition of probation, if he gets another pet.

Reached by phone, Tong had no comment on the incident or the upcoming court case.

"This is something personal," he said.

Cases like this are rare, Rhoades said.

In her four years at the Humane Society, Rhodes said only about a dozen cases have gone to court out of the hundreds of animal cruelty cases investigated every year.

There are two other animal cruelty cases now in the court system on Oahu. In those cases the animals died.

Rhoades has been taking care of Mana, acting as a "foster parent" of sorts.

She said the dog has a few scars and limps occasionally but has otherwise completely recovered.