Pet poisonings resume
By Gary T. Kubota
in Kihei, killing 5 animals
Star-BulletinKIHEI, Maui -- Paraquat poisonings that have terrorized a residential neighborhood in south Kihei for the past 17 years have occurred again, this time killing five pets and raising fears about the danger to children.
"You have a monster loose who's been doing it for years," said Kihei resident James Conklin. "They need to find this guy."
Conklin and his wife, Pegi, said they lost more than their two cats, Tillie and Buddy, in the last week.
The Conklins also lost their sense of safety, fearing that whoever poisoned their cats could still be in the neighborhood.
"It's scary. I can't believe it happened. It's so cruel," said Pegi Conklin.
The houses on the street where they moved two months ago are well-kept, with trimmed lawns and trees. The road ends in a cul-de-sac, limiting traffic into the neighborhood.
Within a half-mile radius, there are similar streets as well as resort condominiums, apartments, and the county's main recreational park, where children play baseball and soccer games.
The poisoning of four cats and a dog were reported from Sept. 23 through Oct. 2, according to the Maui Humane Society.
Death comes slowly and painfully in two to six days, sometimes relenting for hours, enough to make owners think their pets are recovering, before the pain returns and kills the animal.
"We call it the false hope poison," said Aimee Anderson, an animal cruelty investigator with the humane society.
Pegi Conklin, whose nieces and nephews occasionally visit, says she's worried about the potential danger to young children who may unknowingly pick up and eat the poisoned food.
Laura Monaco, whose cat Bodhi died from poisoning, said she has similar fears for children near her home on Iliwai Street.
"This neighborhood is just thick with children," she said.
Anderson said a child could easily die from the poison.
"That's one of our greatest concerns. The children are at risk too, not just pets," Anderson said.
Paraquat is an herbicide used for weed control in the commercial farming industry. Those using it are required to have a permit.
Anderson said the product has been around for 20 years, and there's "no way" for the county to know who has it.
She suspects someone drove by and tossed Paraquat-soaked meat out the window.
"It's really disappointing that it's still happening," said Keith Manuzak, a Kihei resident. He recalled a woman who lost two dogs to Paraquat poisoning several years ago.
Anderson said the poisoned meat probably came from an older, odorless version of Paraquat, mainly because cats tend to be more selective in eating and would avoid food with a foul smell.
She said she suspects the poisoner may be a part-time resident, since the poisonings have occurred in the fall.
Anderson said the penalty for cruelty to animals is a $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail.
She said additional penalties may be levied for misuse of an herbicide, including a $25,000 fine.
There's also a $1,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the poisonings, she said.
She said the amount of the reward is growing as more contributions are made to the fund.
Anyone who thinks their pet may be affected can call the Maui Humane Society at 877-3680.
