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Alleged puppy mill manager pleads not guilty in Circuit Court

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The manager of a Waimanalo puppy mill charged with 153 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Circuit Court and is scheduled for a jury trial in October.

David Lee Becker, 37, has been held in Oahu Community Correctional Center, unable to post $200,000 bail. He appeared in court via a closed circuit video system.

Becker’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 22 before Circuit Judge Glenn Kim, who presided over an earlier trial involving Bradley International, Becker’s employer.

Becker could be fined as much as $306,000 and spend up to a year in jail, if convicted.

The Hawaiian Humane Society and the Honolulu police seized 153 dogs on Feb. 28, 2010 in Waimanalo from the Bradley International, Becker’s employer.

Bradley International plead no contest in December 2010 to the 153 counts of animal cruelty. However, none of the $370,701 in restitution, $306,000 in fines and $8,415 in court fees were ever paid, because the company has gone out of business.

According to state business records, the chief executive and director of the company is Shannon Luke, the president and secretary is Becker, and the treasurer is Vernon Luke.

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