Hawaii: Charge dismissed in animal cruelty case

HAWAII -- An animal cruelty charge was dismissed pending further investigation against a 56-year-old Kihei man who was cited after his dog suffered severe injuries while being dragged by a truck.

The dismissal last week of the second-degree cruelty to animals charge was without prejudice, so the charge could be brought again.

With more investigation being done in the case, officials are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to call the Maui Police Department at 244-6400.

The dog that rescuers called "Tuff Guy" had been tied to the exhaust pipe on the truck the night of Jan. 24. The 65-pound pit bull was dragged about a mile and a half from Sugar Beach to Piilani Highway before the rope broke and the dog ran off near Kihei Villages, rescuers said.

After being surrendered to the nonprofit Valley Isle Animal Rescue, the dog was treated at Central Maui Animal Clinic.

(The Maui News - March 1, 2016)