First dog seen
by inspectors
in good conditionThe dog is one of 4
released to Lucy Kagan
and put in foster care
The Hawaiian Humane Society, authorized by a court order, inspected one of four dogs Monday that are being kept in foster homes for owner Lucy Kagan, who is under investigation for animal cruelty.
Humane Society Executive Director Pam Burns said the animal was in good health, and the agency is coordinating inspections of three other dogs with a veterinarian.
On Monday, a circuit judge ordered that the humane society be allowed to inspect the four dogs released to Kagan on July 29 but being temporarily cared for by other people. Fourteen dogs were released to her, but 10 of them have been sold.
"We were very pleased with the court's action yesterday," Burns said. "It allows us to ensure the health of the animals."
Burns said the sale of the 10 dogs was not a violation of the humane society's agreement with Kagan. That agreement would allow them to inspect the dogs as long as she owned them, Burns said. If animals were sold, Kagan was to confirm the sales and assure the humane society that the animals are being kept in adequate conditions, she said.
Burns said a new owner has agreed to an inspection but the humane society has not been able to contact other owners.
The humane society is still seeking criminal animal-cruelty charges against Kagan.
After a May 7 fire at Kagan's Hawaii Kai townhouse, the humane society seized 27 dogs and two cats from the house where the animals were kept caged in filthy conditions, reeking of feces and urine.
Kagan has denied allegations that she ran a puppy mill and that she mistreated any animals.
