The Hawai‘i County Police Department identified the victim of Tuesday’s fatal dog attack as 71-year-old Robert Northrop of Ocean View. On Tuesday August 1, Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to an animal complaint in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision. When they arrived, officers observed Northrop lying unconscious in the roadway. They also located a witness who reported hearing a commotion outside his residence. When the witness went to check, he saw Northrop being attacked by four large dogs in the roadway. The witness chased the dogs and called the police and paramedics.
Northrop was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel, however succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital. The dogs’ owners were not home at the time of the attack; however, they have been identified and contacted by police. Investigators are looking into claims that the dogs had previously been reported as stray animals. In the meantime, the owners have surrendered all four dogs and a litter of 10 puppies to the Hawai’i County Animal Control and Protection Agency.
“There is currently no evidence that the victim provoked this horrific attack,” said Hawai’i County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz in a statement. Moszkowicz continued, “This incident is a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided.” Police are investigating the incident as a Negligent Failure to Control a Dangerous Dog case. HPD’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section is continuing their investigation as they await autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death. HPD encourages anyone with information relative to this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 238, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.