Rescued Maui dogs enjoy new life at huge animal sanctuary in Utah

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

Four dogs rescued from appalling living conditions on Maui have found paradise in Utah.

Boomer, Girlie, Baby and Hank are spending their days romping in a pool, rolling in dirt and getting lots of attention from workers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, according to the country's largest refuge for abused or abandoned pets and domesticated animals.

The sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, reported Wednesday that the Maui pooches are well on their way to being adopted.

They were among 81 dogs and 14 cats removed from a Ha'iku home Jan. 4. Their former owners, Jean and Tim Bermudez, face 85 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly failing to give the animals adequate space and clean living conditions.

All but seven of the animals were euthanized because of poor health or lack of space at the Maui animal shelter.

While the Maui Humane Society found new Maui homes for three of the rescued animals — a cat and two dogs — part-time Maui residents Les and Jeanette Harris helped coordinate the relocation of Boomer, Girlie, Baby and Hank, all poi dogs, to Utah.

And what a move it turned out to be. The dogs now live in custom-designed octagons with indoor/outdoor access, shade, a small wading pool and open running areas.

They are regularly checked by a veterinarian, walked by staffers and even taken home by volunteers on sleep-overs to help them adapt to living with humans.

"At some point we'll put them (up for adoption) on the Web site or take them to adoption events in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas,'' said Curtis Burgoyne, a Best Friends staff member.

"When we first get dogs from traumatic situations, they just need time to become dogs again,'' said Michael Mountain, president of Best Friends. "After that, we will inevitably find a person who is just right for the dog. It might take some time, but we seem to always find a match.''