Some dogs in abuse case still unaccounted for
By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer
A lawyer for the Hawaiian Humane Society told Circuit Judge Eden Elizabeth Hifo yesterday that the agency is still trying to verify the whereabouts of some of the dogs that were taken from, and later returned to, Hawai'i Kai resident Lucy Kagan.
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During a two-hour hearing yesterday, Kagan told Hifo she felt like vomiting, had pains under her left arm, believed she was having a heart attack, had been told by her psychiatrist to forget about the details of the dog incident, was hypnotized to help her forget the details, and was taking a variety of prescription medicines that clouded her vision and her ability to recall details about the dogs.
Lucy Kagan was accused of animal cruelty after 27 dogs and two cats were removed from her condo after a fire May 7.
Hifo said there was a trash can nearby in case Kagan needed to vomit and that she would excuse her from court just as soon as she finished answering questions from Humane Society attorney Janice Futa and her own lawyer, Scott Strack.
As the hearing progressed, Kagan appeared to remember more details, and by noon all but two of the dogs were accounted for, at least in terms of who Kagan says she believes has possession of them.
The hearing is to resume at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow and Kagan indicated she will try to contact the owner of the two dogs in question and have the owner contact Humane Society officials so the dogs can be inspected.
Kagan was accused of animal cruelty after a fire broke out at her Hawai'i Kai condominium May 7 and 27 dogs and two cats were removed after police and firefighters reported finding them in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
Thirteen animals were turned over to their owners and 14 dogs were later returned to Kagan.
Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.
