Dog may be destroyed
By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor
WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui Humane Society has filed a motion in Wailuku District Court seeking permission to euthanize a pit bull that mauled a woman Nov. 16 at a Pukalani home.
The 90-pound blue-nosed American Staffordshire terrier has been in the care of the Humane Society since Dec. 3, when owner Scott Barrie allegedly was found in violation of Maui County Animal Control Board orders to properly confine the animal.
Aimee Anderson, animal control director of the Maui Humane Society, yesterday described the dog, Faust, as "spooky," and said he is a "serious danger" to animal shelter staff and to the public, if released to his owner.
"It's the most unpredictable dog we've ever seen," she said.
According to Anderson, the Humane Society's court action is the first time anyone has used a Maui law that allows anyone to file a motion asking that a dangerous dog be destroyed.
Dog owner Barrie yesterday failed to appear for arraignment on a petty misdemeanor charge of "dangerous dog noncompliance," which carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail. District Judge Barclay MacDonald issued a $700 bench warrant for him.
Barrie also did not show up for a Dec. 31 hearing on a dog bite violation connected to the Nov. 16 attack, which carries a maximum $500 fine. A $200 bench warrant was issued in that case.
The pit bull attacked Sandra Sardinha, 46, as she sat on a rock wall on Barrie's property, biting her severely and tearing off a chunk of her scalp. Anderson said the dog was involved in at least one other attack.
At a Dec. 1 animal control board hearing, Barrie told the panel that Faust was a "loveable" family pet that romps with his two young daughters. The board voted to allow Barrie to keep the dog as long as he complied with a long list of conditions meant to restrict the animal's contact with the public.
Faust was impounded again after animal control officers found him inside the house with an open window, a violation of the board's conditions.
Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
