The company that operated Hawaii’s largest puppy mill pleaded no contest Monday to 153 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in Kaneohe District Court and faces sentencing in February.
Each count — representing the 153 dogs seized by the Hawaiian Humane Society and Honolulu police in Waimanalo on Feb. 28 — carries a maximum penalty of $2,000 and one year in jail.
Judge Paula Devens scheduled sentencing for Feb. 15.
Attorney Jason Burks, who represents Bradley International Inc., said after Monday’s hearing that the corporation has been dissolved and there are no assets. The case was only against the corporation and not any individuals.
"In a criminal case against a corporation, the sentences are limited to probation, fines and restitution, and then the court can prohibit the corporation from owning animals," Burks said. "At this point, however, there is no corporation. There are no assets. The dogs were the last remaining assets of the corporation. Essentially the corporation — if it ever decided to start up again — would still be subject to the judgment."
None of the officers of Bradley International appeared in court, and Burks said he was unaware of any intention by Bradley’s officers to start another animal-related business.
Burks said the corporation changed its plea to no contest because "extending more resources to fight the case for a corporation that has no resources is basically a pointless venture. It was the next logical step. … There’s more that will be said at sentencing as far as what happened in the case and how it led to this."
Pamela Burns, president and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society, said she was not surprised that none of Bradley International’s officers appeared in court.
"If they’re pleading no contest to 153 counts of animal cruelty, they certainly must have felt quite guilty about those charges," Burns said. "It’s a reflection on the kind of people they are."
Burns disputed Burks’ assertion that there are no corporate assets.
"That corporation made thousands and thousands — tens of thousands — of dollars on these puppies that were sold," she said. "If they’re saying that the corporation is dissolved, they went through hundreds of thousands of dollars in money to do that. I just don’t buy it. I really don’t buy it. And I really hope that justice will prevail in February so that the punishment is fair to the crime."
Hawaiian Humane Society officials were prepared to show graphic images during the trial of dogs that were kept in cages filled with feces and urine.
After the dogs were seized, three dogs died and 79 puppies were born.
The Humane Society already has spent more than $400,000 in staff and other costs to care for all of the dogs, which have since been placed in new homes.
The charges against Bradley International alleged 153 counts of second-degree animal cruelty involving depriving the dogs of necessary sustenance or sufficient care to preserve their health and well-being.
The Humane Society won a civil lawsuit seeking permanent custody of the 153 dogs and their puppies.
The case broke on Feb. 28 when a Honolulu police officer responded to a barking-dog complaint.
Since then the Humane Society has received tips on other suspected puppy mills on Oahu that could lead to further prosecutions, Burns said. "We are certainly looking at some places now."
