Hawaiian Humane Society
Newsletter People for animals. Animals for people.
December 2016 - February 2017
Dogs rescued from Kahaluu find new homes It was the late evening of May 21. Hawaiian Humane Society’s Humane Investigators and officers from the Honolulu Police Department were waiting on judge’s orders for a search warrant of James Montgomery’s Kahaluu home after a dog was found dead in a nearby trash bin and another in critical condition. Finally, at 7:30 pm, they received the warrant to enter the home. The overwhelming stench of animal waste met them first. As they reached the area the dogs were held, they entered a horrific scene where dogs were found living in squalid conditions. Upstairs, at least a dozen of them were living in small cages covered with feces, with no solid floors, their paws on bare wire. Many were emaciated with matted fur. Others were housed in a pitch-black bunker with no ventilation, food or water.
the dogs at puppy swap meets, along the roadside and out of his trunk. Ten years later, he was indicted in early July on two counts of felony animal cruelty. In August, Montgomery surrendered ownership of the dogs to Hawaiian Humane Society, which had been safe in foster care for months. Seventeen rescued dogs were made available for adoption to the public in late August. Many of the others had been adopted by their foster families. Approximately 300 people gathered at Ala Moana Center to have an opportunity to meet the dogs and the chance to adopt them. With a wide variety to choose from, many were hoping to find that special canine to call their own. One of those people was Athena Michaels.
The dogs were brought back to More than the Hawaiian Humane Society 300 people waited for health assessments and at Ala Moana Center for their chance to medical treatments they adopt a dog from needed. Some had litters the Kahaluu of newborn puppies. Most rescue. were unsocialized, frightened and underweight. Once foster volunteers were organized, the dogs went into temporary homes to rest, recuperate and begin living their new lives. In 2006, James Montgomery had been cited for 55 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for keeping his “breeding” dogs in unfit living conditions. Montgomery sold
“Our dog had passed away and the family was heartbroken,” said Michaels. We saw the news about the adoption event and thought it was a great idea to bring another dog home. My husband saw Benson and was adamant that he was the one. Benson has really brought this family joy and happiness. He has been so lovable, so great with the kids and we’ve been spoiling him. He always makes us laugh.” All of the rescued dogs, along with a dozen others, were adopted at the special event. The case against Montgomery is still pending trial. As a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Hawaiian Humane Society’s field continued on page 3