Makaha man and his mother convicted of animal cruelty

May 13, 2019  

A jury convicted the operators of the Friends for Life animal shelter in Makaha of second-degree animal cruelty.  David L. Moore was found guilty on all 24 counts of animal cruelty he faced.  His mother June Moore was found guilty on one count.

   The Hawaiian Humane Society seized more than 300 dogs from the shelter in October 2016.  Video taken by the Hawaiian Humane Society showed the underweight tick infested dogs living in deplorable conditions.  Both David and June Moore were initially charged with 310 counts of animal cruelty, but for the sake of judicial economy, they were tried on just 24 counts.

   During trial Deputy Prosecutor Jan Futa said, “They were all skinny.  They were all malnourished – some worse than others.  They were not receiving adequate food.  They were not receiving adequate water.”

   Circuit Court Judge Edward Kubo said, “When one says they are a no kill shelter and then take steps to kill an animal giving it no chance of survival that to me is a kill shelter.”

   Second-degree animal cruelty is a misdemeanor.  Each count is punishable by up to one year in prison and a $2,000 fine.   Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.