Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area I
Lieutenant Rio S. Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 21-067388
Media Release
The 85-year-old Puna woman that was attacked by multiple dogs on Saturday, August 14, 2021, in Kea’au, succumbed to here injuries on Sunday, September 5. She was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center Intensive Care Unit, where she had been since the mid-August incident.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday, August 10, to determine the exact cause of death.
The mid-August incident occurred on 12th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park, after the victim went searching for her lost dog and multiple neighboring dogs attacked her. Her 89-year-old husband and an 88-year-old family member immediately went to her aid and were also attacked by the dogs.
The woman was bitten about her head, neck, and arms, and had multiple lacerations and puncture wounds. All three victims were transported to the Hilo Medical Center. The two men were treated for their injuries, and released from the hospital.
Following the incident, County of Hawai‘i Animal Control Officers took two dogs into custody.
This investigation remains continuing by the Hawai’i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Section. Upon completion, it will be forwarded to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or the Area I Criminal Investigation Section Lieutenant, Rio Amon-Wilkins, at (808) 961-2252, or email Rio.Amon-Wilkins@hawaiicounty.gov.
Residents wishing to report vicious dogs are also encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.