A man was discovered dead on Tuesday morning, August 1, mauled by a pack of dogs on the Big Island.
The victim, identified as 71-year-old Robert Northrop of Ocean View Estates, lost his life in the incident that occurred around 9 am.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, a witness heard a commotion and rushed to the scene, where four dogs were seen attacking the man in the middle of the road. The witness managed to chase the dogs away and immediately called 911 for help.
Upon arrival, officers found Northrop lying unconscious and swiftly transported him to a local hospital. Regrettably, he was pronounced dead en route. Hawaii Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz said that there was no evidence suggesting the victim provoked the attack, emphasizing the need for vigilance in such cases.
Investigations revealed that the dogs had been reported as strays before but were traced back to owners who were not home during the attack. The Hawaii County Animal Control and Protection Agency took custody of all four dogs, along with a litter of ten puppies.
Details about the breeds and conditions of the dogs have not been disclosed. The owners could potentially face charges of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog, a felony offense if an unprovoked dog attack leads to serious bodily harm or death. If convicted, the dog owners might be sentenced to up to ten years in prison, heavy fines, and the possibility of humane killing of the animals involved.
