First of four dogs in 'foster care' found to be healthy
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The first of four examinations of dogs placed in "foster care" by a woman accused of mistreating them found the animal in good health, the Hawaiian Humane Society said yesterday after a court-ordered veterinarian looked at the dog.
Advertiser library photo
Circuit Court Judge Eden Hifo ordered the examinations Monday.
The humane society confiscated 27 dogs and cats from Lucy Kagan's Hawai'i Kai condominium May 7.
Hifo ruled that the people who received the four animals from Lucy Kagan be required to allow a humane society inspection team, including a veterinarian, to examine the dogs and their living conditions.
The court did not release the names of the parties caring for the dogs or that of the veterinarian.
"We were quite pleased with Judge Hifo's order," said humane society president Pam Burns. "It will allow us to do inspections to ensure the dogs are adequately cared for."
The other inspections were being scheduled yesterday, she said.
The humane society can inspect them three times a week before all parties return to court Aug. 22. Kagan will then have to demonstrate that she has allowed all inspections.
The humane society also is trying to learn more about 10 dogs that Kagan claims to have sold, said Burns.
The humane society confiscated 27 dogs and cats from Kagan's Hawai'i Kai condominium May 7 after a small fire was reported in her kitchen. Firefighters and police found the animals in crowded, filthy conditions, and an animal-cruelty case was opened. Kagan has said she loves animals and would never abuse them.
Thirteen animals were returned to their owners, and the humane society returned 11 dogs and three puppies to Kagan after she agreed to allow unannounced inspections. But humane society workers never found her or the dogs at the Waimanalo address she gave.
The humane society has said it is working on an investigation that might lead to animal-cruelty charges.
