Hawaii: Dogs that attacked and killed Cris Aliado have been given back to their owner

HAWAII -- A cross and flowers mark a spot at the Kalihi Stream where Cris Aliado's mauled body was found, along with two dogs that apparently got loose from a nearby business.

The cause of death was dog bites, but because police are still awaiting a formal report from the Medical Examiner’s office, the case is still pending.

But a lawmaker who represents the area is nervous that now the animals at the owner’s home in someone's neighborhood.

"To find out they came from private property and a business, then I became concerned. Hopefully, they are contained on the property and not getting out to harm other residents," said City Councilman Joey Manahan.

A Honolulu attorney who has handled dog attack cases in the past shares that fear.

"I would be totally scared. That is a frightening prospect, when you have dogs who have killed a human being, running loose in a neighborhood,” said Richard Turbin.

The Honolulu Police said they don't have the authority to impound or return impounded animals.

The Humane Society told KITV earlier this week it was working with the owners to make sure the dogs could be kept securely at their home.

But it could not tell us exactly what was being done to prevent them from getting loose in a neighborhood.

It said lacking any facts to support criminal charges, it returned the dogs to their owner.

THERE IS A LAW IN HAWAII THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO EUTHANIZE THE DOGS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE BOTHERING TO APPLY IT:

"The state statute allows for any individual, a neighbor or common citizen, if they believe there is a dangerous dog in the neighborhood they can make an application with the courts of Hawaii and ask that that dog be removed, or put down if it’s necessary," said Turbin.

So why aren't they doing this? Keep the dogs at the shelter, file the paperwork, get a judgment ordering the dogs be destroyed and be done with it!

Businesses located near the attack told us the dogs had gotten loose in the industrial area before.

One company said police looked at surveillance video of the stream that showed the victim picking up cans to recycle. but did not say if the attack was recorded by its cameras.

Other homeless campers told KITV they believe the dogs had been involved in previous attacks that required hospitalization, but it’s not clear if those cases were reported.

“The police aren’t getting the reports and doctors are not reporting it to the police department, so to some extent the community isn’t helping law enforcement and the Humane Society to do its job," said Turbin.

Calls to the owners of Containerland have not been returned.

(KITV - Aug 12, 2016)