LIHUE, Kauai — Three Kauai pit bulls were euthanized after mauling a small dog.
The Chihuahua mix’s owner Lisa Serrano told the Garden Island that she and her 11-year-old daughter watched the deadly attack on Thursday morning.
“We saw our dog mauled to death right in front of us,” she said, describing how it started with one pit bull charging toward her daughter while they were out walking their dog in Kekaha.
Serrano said her daughter picked up their small dog named Lily to try to protect her from the pit bull. But Serrano said she was afraid the pit bull would maul her daughter so she screamed for her to drop Lily. That’s when the pit bull attacked Lily as four more pit bulls ran out from a nearby home and joined in, Serrano said.
The pit bulls’ owner ran outside and began hitting his dogs with a pipe in an attempt to release Lily, Serrano said.
The Kauai Police Department cited the owner of the pit bulls with a dangerous dog violation, county spokeswoman Sarah Blane said. The owner suffered a minor injury while attempting to retrieve his dogs during the attack, Blane said.
The owner chose to surrender three of his five dogs to be euthanized, Kauai Humane Society Field Services Supervisor Mana Brown said.
Lily’s injuries included punctured lungs, bite wounds to the throat, and a torn-off ear.
“This is something that my child will never forget,” Serrano said. “This was her best friend.”
Serrano said Lily was adopted from the Humane Society five years ago. She called Lily an angel for saving her daughter.
Mother and daughter planned to bury Lily in Kokee.