Posted on: Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Puppy in alleged cruelty case dies

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

A puppy that was among the 27 dogs and two cats taken from a Hawai'i Kai condominium where officials said the animals were improperly housed died last month, a humane society official said yesterday.

The miniature pinscher puppy was extremely dehydrated and taken to a private veterinary clinic, where it was diagnosed with a congenital defective esophagus, said Hawaiian Humane Society spokeswoman Eve Holt. The puppy died May 23.

The puppy was among the animals discovered May 7 by firefighters responding to a small kitchen fire at the Villa Marina condo of Lucy Kagan. Officials said the animals were living in squalor amid trash and animal waste.

Another one of the dogs, a Maltese, was pregnant and also transferred to a veterinary clinic, where it gave birth to three puppies. The mother and puppies remain at the clinic, where they're receiving 24-hour care, Holt said.

"At this time, we still have responsibility for 19 dogs and two cats," Holt said. The other dogs are at a private veterinary clinic or have been returned to those who have been able to prove ownership.

The humane society has spent more than $1,000 on veterinary and healthcare costs for the special-needs animals taken from Kagan's home.

Meanwhile, the humane society continues to work with the Honolulu Police Department and the prosecuting attorney's office on an animal cruelty investigation involving Kagan, Holt said.

Kagan has denied allegations of animal cruelty and said her only crime is having a messy home.

Items gathered during a May 9 search by humane society officials and police could be used as evidence if cruelty charges are brought against Kagan, said Bryan Windisch, manager of field services at the society.

"No citation has been issued at this point," Holt said. "The prosecuting attorney's office has asked the humane society to prepare the animal cruelty case and to forward it to them."

Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with possible penalties of up to a $2,000 fine and a year in jail, Windisch said.