Pit bull owner
has date in court

CORRECTION Wednesday, January 12, 2005 » Scot Barrie owns the dog that attacked a Maui woman at his Pukalani home on Nov. 16. His first name was misspelled as Scott in a Page A3 story on Dec. 2 and a Page A4 story on Dec. 8. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

WAILUKU » The owner of a pit bull that mauled a Maui woman is scheduled to be arraigned in Wailuku District Court on Jan. 11 for allegedly failing to comply with the dangerous-dog law.

Scott Barrie could face a maximum $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail if convicted of the petty misdemeanor charge.

Barrie's pit bull, Faust, was seized Friday after an animal control officer determined the conditions of the dog's release had been violated. Maui Humane Society officials said windows in the house were supposed to be closed if Faust was confined inside.

Maui County Deputy Corporation Counsel John Kim said if Barrie is convicted, a district judge could decide to destroy the dog if it poses a continuing threat of serious harm to the public.

The male pit bull, weighing 80 to 90 pounds, was tethered to a cable when it repeatedly attacked a woman who was sitting on a front wall of Barrie's Pukalani residence on Nov. 16.

Sandra Sardinha said she had come to the house to return a package of children's clothes and was leaning over to pick up a pack of cigarettes when the dog attacked her.

The dog ripped off a 3-by-6-inch portion of her scalp, and bit her in several places.

The animal control board last Wednesday determined Faust to be a dangerous dog, but allowed it to be released and to live with Barrie under certain conditions of confinement and restraint.