A Honolulu woman must serve 350 hours of community service and pay more than $1,000 in fines after pleading no contest to seven counts of animal cruelty. The case stems from a rescue of seven dogs in December 2008.
Lira Ikeda stood silently as her attorney spoke on her behalf in Oahu's latest animal cruelty case.
"Ms. Ikeda is prepared to enter a no contest pleas to all seven counts that are on the calendar," said Deputy Public Defender Hayley Cheng.
According to prosecutors, Ikeda left seven dogs unattended for several weeks without food and water at a Crosspointe rental unit near Aloha Stadium. The Hawaiian Humane Society rescued the animals in December 2008. They were emaciated and living in their own filth.
"They only had a bucket of black water from which to drink from or the toilet," said Deputy Prosecutor Tara Molnar.
Ikeda's attorney says her client's mother was dying of cancer at the time.
"She indicated to the Humane Society that she was having trouble caring for them she was feeling overwhelmed," said Cheng. "She notified the Humane Society that her boyfriend had been incarcerated and she actually was willing at that time to surrender the dogs."
"I would say that was not accurate," said Keoni Vaughn, Field Services manager of the Hawaiian Humane Society. He says Ikeda failed to appear in court several times and it was only after her mug shot was posted on Crimestoppers that she was arrested.
"I'm going to impose 50 hours of community service in each case - okay," said District Court Judge Alvin Nishimura.
In addition, Ikeda was ordered to pay 155 dollars in fines for each count. She's not allowed to own an animal for more than one year.
"It's been nearly two years since we've rescued these animals and we feel that justice has been served," said Vaughn.
Ikeda declined to comment as she left the courthouse.
All of the dogs have since been adopted, three of them by the Loewe family.
"When we got them you could count every bone in their bodies," said Naomi Loewe. "They were in pretty bad shape when we go them but look at them today."
Tsukoshi, Thelma and Louise are now healthy thanks to a loving environment and Hoku, another Humane Society adoptee.
"I do hope that the sentencing that she got sends a message to the community that abuse of an animal is wrong," said Loewe. "They trust us and we should live up to that trust."
