David Ramirez III had hunting dogs that prosecutors believe attacked and killed a horse.
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| David Ramirez III |
Aurora, a two year old horse who belonged to Raleigh Craighead, was killed by a pack of dogs who attacked her in her pen.
It's a story that brings back memories for Senator Clayton Hee.
"The horse I had before him, he got whacked by hunting dogs up in my pasture. And fortunately I was home and I got to the horse before the dogs could bring the horse down," said Sen. Clayton Hee.
It was experiences like that and a rash of dog attacks which led Senator Hee to redraft Hawaii's animal cruelty law.
"In 2007, 2008 when hunting dogs were killing [pet] pot bellied pigs I wrote the law that moved pigs and equine as livestock, the cruelty to animals would cover those two livestock animals," said Sen. Hee.
Hee has always been around farm animals and says he's a hunting enthusiast as well. The recent reports of hunting dogs attacking other animals concerns him.
"We as hunters can understand when dogs go and follow the pig into a neighborhood. But regardless, ultimately, the care and responsibility of the dog always belongs to the hunter," said Sen. Hee.
Ramirez faces numerous animal cruelty and dangerous dog counts. He remains free on $1400 bail, and his arraignment and plea was continued until October 30th.
If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail.
(KHON - Oct 16, 2012)
