Humane society
cannot locate 14 dogsInspectors have been trying
to find animals released to a breeder
Hawaiian Humane Society officials say they have not been able to see the 14 dogs of suspected illegal dog breeder Lucy Kagan since they returned the animals to her Tuesday.
"The dogs were not at the site she had previously agreed that they would be to allow us to inspect them," Pam Burns, executive director of the Hawaiian Humane Society, said yesterday. She said the humane society is exploring legal options to require regular inspections.
Kagan agreed to keep the dogs at a private residence in Windward Oahu rather than at her Hawaii Kai condominium to allow for unannounced inspections, according to Burns. Humane society officials went to the home three times Thursday and once yesterday but did not see the dogs.
Burns acknowledged that the humane society had no means of ensuring Kagan's compliance with the agreement. Since no charges had been filed against Kagan, the society had no legal basis for keeping the dogs at their shelter, Burns said.
She said Kagan's lawyer informed humane society officials that the dogs are with a veterinarian, but would not disclose the name of the veterinarian. Yesterday, Kagan called to find out what kinds of vaccinations and treatment her dogs received during the nearly three months they were in the society's care, according to Burns.
"We said we would be glad to pass on that information to her veterinarian," she said.
Efforts to contact Kagan were unsuccessful.
The humane society seized 27 dogs and two cats from Kagan's Hawaii Kai condominium May 7 after firefighters who were responding to a fire there said they found the animals living in roach-infested squalor.
Two days later, Norman Texeira, who described himself as Kagan's boss, reclaimed 10 dogs. Two other dogs were reclaimed by other owners. And one dog died at a veterinary clinic of a physiological deformity.
Three dogs and two cats whose ownership has not been established remain at the humane society.
On Tuesday, Kagan retrieved 11 dogs and three puppies that were born at the society.
Burns said she believes there is enough evidence to charge Kagan with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Burns said Kagan has continued to sell dogs through advertisements in local newspapers. She recommends potential pet owners get written documents of the animal's health and pedigree before buying a pet.
