EXCLUSIVE: Abused animal raises suspicion of dog fighting

By Jim Mendoza - bio | email

NANAKULI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Animal rescue group K9 Kokua is hanging posters along Farrington Highway, trying to find the owner of the dog in the picture.

"I want to believe that we'll find the owner or the people that know her," K9 volunteer Jae Bonarek said.

Other photographs of the female pit bull tell a horrifying story. The animal was severely malnourished and injured from head to toe.

K9 personnel found the dog abandoned in Makaha, after a good Samaritan called them. It rushed the animal to the Animal House Veterinary Center, but it was too injured to save.

Chris Alejo helped examine the injured dog before it was euthanized. She said its head was covered with injuries.

"They appeared to be bite wounds. She had a major injury on her rear right leg that actually had her bone exposed," she said.

The Humane Society of the United States studied photographs of the dog..

"Her wounds were consistent with dog fighting," Hawaii director Inga Gibson said. "She exhibited old wounds that were healing around her face, neck and ears. She also exhibited fresh wounds in the front of her body."

Dog fighting is a crime in Hawaii, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The Hawaiian Humane Society is investigating dog fighting and animal cruelty allegations in this case.

"It broke my heart to see that someone could let something this bad happen to such a sweet dog," Bonarek said.

K9 Kokua will put up the posters along the Leeward coast on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you can help call 853-7268.

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