LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Kaua'i Humane Society officials yesterday cited an Anahola man with 20 counts of animal cruelty after finding 17 starved dogs and three dead ones in cages and on chains at an Anahola property.

"The dogs are severely emaciated, dehydrated and weak. They wouldn't have lived more than a couple of more days if we hadn't been alerted by the concerned citizen," said society director Becky Rhoades, a veterinarian. She said Steve A. Cummings, 47, was cited for 20 counts of cruelty to animals and 20 counts of animal desertion. He is to be arraigned Jan. 9 in District Court.

The animals were restrained on a property that had a house that appeared to be abandoned, Rhoades said. She said she and her staff found no evidence the animals had received food or water recently. Two dogs were dead in wire cages and another was dead at the end of a chain. The others also were tethered or chained. Most of the animals are Airedale mixes, with a few hound and pit bull mixes, and they range from about 4 months to 5 years old, she said.

The animals, several of which have identifying computer chips implanted, were taken to the humane society shelter for care. Shelter staff worked with them through the night, and the animals appear to be improving, she said.

"The dogs are not available for adoption at this time. We will be pursuing forfeiture of the dogs to the society so that we can find them new homes soon," Rhoades said.

"Please, if you can't care for your animal, call us. There is no reason for animals to ever suffer like this."

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.