Various ills prove fatal
to puppy in cruelty case
One of 27 dogs taken from squalid conditions in a Hawaii Kai townhouse May 7 later died, according to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
The miniature pinscher puppy was extremely dehydrated, could not keep food down and suffered from congenital defective esophagus, the humane society said in a news release yesterday.
The puppy was taken to a private veterinary clinic, where it received 24-hour care and was fed by tube. Its condition worsened, and it died at the clinic on May 23.
The humane society has been working with police and the Prosecutor's Office on an animal cruelty case against Lucy Kagan, who kept the animals at the townhouse, and was reportedly breeding and selling dogs.
Firefighters investigating a stove fire found the animals kept in cages in filthy conditions, including animal feces and urine.
Humane society employees seized 27 dogs and two cats.
Some individuals who had Kagan sell their dogs were outraged at the conditions shown in TV and newspaper coverage and demanded the return of their animals.
No charges have been made yet against Kagan.
"At this point, we are responsible for 19 dogs and two cats," said Hawaiian Humane Society spokeswoman Eve Holt.
Some dogs have been returned to their owners, but Holt would not say how many.
A 14-year-old miniature pinscher remains at the veterinary clinic. A Maltese was found pregnant and also is at the clinic, where she gave birth to three puppies.
Kagan has failed to provide health histories for the animals, the humane society said.
The humane society has spent more than $1,000 for veterinary and health care for the animals, Holt said.