Dog killed, man attempting rescue assaulted
Waimanalo Beach Park, HI (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 30, 2003
County: Honolulu
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Name Undisclosed
Police have arrested an owner for the death of his pet dog. Both the police and the Hawaiian Humane Society are investigating the case of a 52-year old man who allegedly strangled his dog at Waimanalo Beach Park on Sunday.
A would be rescuer, a 51-year old Kaneohe man, got into a shoving match with the suspect after he was seen choking his dog on the beach and putting the dog's face underwater.
The suspect said he was disciplining his dog.
Later on the same day, the suspect returned to the beach with three men who physically assaulted the 51-year old man who tried to rescue the dog. The man was treated and released at Castle Medical Center. He received several broken ribs, facial cuts and scratches as a result of the assault.
When the police went to the suspect's Waimanalo home, they found the dog's dead body. The police released the suspect Sunday evening pending further investigation.
Pamela Burns, president of the Hawaiian Humane Society, said "We've been talking about the link between animal abuse and human violence. This is a perfect example of that."
Burns testified in favor of Senate Bill 1581 earlier in the year which emphasizes the importance of stiffening the penalties for animal cruelty crimes.
The crime would be a Class C felony. Now, animal cruelty charges are misdemeanors.
Burns said, "Anyone that shows violent tendencies puts the entire community at risk, both people and animals."
The bill has passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
References
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