Updated at 12:11 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Kaua'i dog owner pleads no contest to cruelty charges
Advertiser Staff
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Steve A. Cummings, 47, pleaded no contest in Kaua'i District Court today to 20 counts of animal cruelty, in a case in which three of his dogs were found dead and 17 others severely malnourished and dehydrated in December 2006.Prosecutors agreed to drop 20 other counts of animal desertion, in return for the pleas.
Cummings' attorney, Brandon Flores, said the dogs were left without food and water at an Anahola property due to miscommunication. He said Cummings had asked a friend to take care of the animals.
Cummings is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 7. As part of the plea agreement, Cummings stipulated that the three dead animals starved to death, and that he will surrender the remaining animals to the Kaua'i Humane Society.
