Maui dog that
mauled boy
is put to death

The owner will not be cited for
a violation since dog attacks
are not against Maui law

---

By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> Maui Humane Society workers have put to death a dog that mauled 6-year-old Alex Pyle near his Makawao home.

Society animal control supervisor Aimee Anderson said a lethal injection was administered to the 8-year-old male Akita yesterday morning in Huelo at the residence of the dog and its owner, Scott Weston.

Weston planned to bury the dog on the property.

"He was horrified as to what happened to the child," Anderson said.

Anderson said through a tip from a caller, Humane Society officials found Weston's residence and left word for him to call the animal shelter.

Weston called Wednesday afternoon and discussed with Anderson a plan to administer the lethal injection.

Anderson said Weston did not know why the dog attacked the boy.

She said Weston was not cited for any violation, because a dog attack is not against the law in Maui County.

Anderson said an owner is not cited unless the animal has been previously declared a "dangerous dog" or the owner intended the dog to attack someone.

Humane Society officials were worried the dog would attack again and hurt someone else.

Before the attack at 3:15 p.m. Monday, the dog was across the road from the Pyles' residence at Ulele Street and tethered to a fence near a house where Weston worked as a house painter.

Alex left his residence, crossed the street and was about 10 feet into a neighbor's yard when the dog mauled him.

Alex's father, David Pyle, said the dog did not bark before the attack.

He said the dog cut into his son's head and cheek and also left puncture wounds in his arm.

Alex, who is recuperating at home, had muscle and nerve damage and underwent four hours of plastic surgery.

Anderson said she felt relieved that the dog, weighing more than 100 pounds, was no longer "out in society."