Posted on: Friday, May 9, 2003

Buyers advised to check on breeders

 • Fanciers say woman deceived them about dogs

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

The discovery of 27 dogs and two cats in a Hawai'i Kai condominium unit this week has raised new worries that some puppies being sold in Hawai'i may come from so-called "puppy mills."

"The puppy is going to be a member of your family," and should be closely checked out, said Kenneth Matsui, general manager of Petland.

Eve Holt of the Hawaiian Humane Society said Honolulu law limits the number of dogs over four months old to 10 in a single residence.

The care, treatment and boarding of animals in exchange for money or goods and services is not permitted as a home occupation under Honolulu's residential zoning, according to the Department of Planning and Permitting. But the "occasional" boarding and grooming of up to five animals per day is allowed as a home occupation, the department said.

Holt said the Hawai'i Kai case is being investigated for violation of animal cruelty laws, a crime with possible penalties of up to a $2,000 fine and a year in jail.

Margie Mishina of Waipahu said buyers should "come and see where the dogs are bred and raised."

Mishina is one of scores of dog owners on O'ahu who have a few dogs at home, breed them occasionally, and sell the puppies. She says any buyer should avoid a seller who wants to "deliver" the puppy or for some other reason won't let the buyer see their home and see the parents of the puppy in question.

Anyone concerned about getting a healthy puppy from a good social as well as genetic background should ask the seller to let them take the animal to a veterinarian for examination before completing the purchase, said Lissa Kam, a veterinarian at the Ohana Veterinary Hospital in Kalihi. A responsible seller may also let the buyer talk to the vet who has treated the parents of the puppy to learn about hereditary health problems that might emerge after the puppy has grown, she said.