Hawaii: David Moore, 60, says he was running a "no kill" shelter / rescue called Friends for Life, but police just seized all of the animals

HAWAII -- A man was arrested after a rescue at the Friends for Life animal shelter in Makaha Wednesday.

Honolulu police arrived early in the morning with a warrant, and Hawaiian Humane Society took custody of more than 270 dogs, which are now under HHS care.

David Moore, 60, was booked on suspicion of second-degree animal cruelty. He has not been charged.

Friends for Life is located near Keaau Beach Park.

 

 

It’s a shelter that was investigated back in 2015, after reports that some of the animals were being mistreated.

At that time, KHON2 spoke with the owner, who told us all the animals are properly fed and taken care of [but he refused to allow the reporters onto the property].

 

The Hawaiian Humane Society had heard complaints at the time, but said they were denied access to the property to help.

Staff spent much of the day shuttling the dogs back to its facility in Moiliili.

 

MEDICAL ISSUES AND INHUMANE CONDITIONS
"Feces, urine, not enough food or water, the dogs are malnourished, emaciated, skin conditions," said Allison Gammel, Hawaiian Humane Society Community Relations Director.

Moore's daughter says her father's arrest is disappointing and shocking.

"He has such a big heart. He wouldn't hurt any animal. That's why we have so many because he couldn't turn any away. We have people show up with these dogs getting hit by cars, or being who find boxes of puppies on the beach left there to die. How can we turn those away?" Tianna Moore said.

 

IN DENIAL
However supporters of Friends for Life say the shelter is good for the dogs.

“The guy in charge over here, he takes good care of the dogs,” said shelter volunteer Leslie Meacham. “For most of them, they are healthy. To me, they are safe off the streets from being hurt, killed, not eating.”

As for skin conditions, Meacham said, “I’ve seen some, but he does have medications and his ways of treating it, and I’ve seen him treat a lot of dogs and cured them.”

See below where someone says Moore "saved" a dog "bleeding so bad" they thought it would die. What did Moore do to save this dog? Apparently dumped some cayenne pepper on it and left it to suffer -- instead of providing it with needed veterinary care. 

 

Neither HPD nor the prosecutor’s office would comment on specifics of the warrant, citing the ongoing investigation.

President and CEO Pamela Burns released the following statement after the rescue:

Our staff and volunteers are working diligently to provide them with immediate veterinary care and to ensure their comfort and safety. We are partnering with the Honolulu Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate this case and pursue justice for these dogs.

  

 

 

If you’d like to help, the humane society is in need of supplies — such as crates, towels, puppy pads, shampoo, and detergent — and financial support for animal and foster care. Click here for more information.

They are also looking for volunteer veterinary technicians and/or veterinary assistants to help with the animals. Those interested should call 356-2232 or email wkim@hawaiianhumane.org.

 

 

 

 

(KHONS - Oct 12, 2016)