Posted on: Friday, January 17, 2003

Hunting dogs being held after attack on cattle

Advertiser Staff

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Five hunting dogs remain in custody at the Kaua'i Humane Society shelter after they attacked cattle Jan. 9 at the Princeville Ranch in Hanalei.

The dogs' owner reportedly was pig hunting without permission on the ranch when the animals attacked a herd of pregnant cows. One cow broke through a fence onto Kuhio Highway to escape the animals. That cow was returned to the pasture uninjured. Two other cattle suffered bite wounds and one had its tail bitten off, said Princeville Ranch herd manager Karen Carswell.

Passersby and police officers directed traffic and tied up the dogs until an animal control officer arrived from the humane society to pick them up. A humane society official said the dogs were not injured and are being held as evidence in the criminal case against their owner under the county's dangerous dog law and leash law.

The hunter was on the ranch with seven other dogs.