LIHU‘E — An audible sigh came from the second row of the gallery in 5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano’s state courtroom Tuesday.
It came from Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Rhoades, veterinarian and executive director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society, upon learning KHS would have to continue caring for 16 horses confiscated in an animal-cruelty case due to a scheduled Oct. 4 jury-trial date in the case against Lara Butler-Brady.
It costs between $200 and $300 a month to take care of each horse, when feed, medication, pasturing, veterinary expenses and other costs are factored, Rhoades said after Butler-Brady pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
Attorney Craig De Costa represents Butler-Brady, and said he has an ethical responsibility not to engage in any pre-trial publicity, and hopes county prosecutors have advised KHS officials about that ethical responsibility on their end as well.
He declined further comment.
Lauren McDowell, county deputy prosecuting attorney, represents the state.
Rhoades said the 16 horses are all doing well now, pastured and grazing on grass, after being found emaciated and dehydrated on land along Ma‘alo Road in Kapaia leased by Butler-Brady from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
In late May a KHS crew confiscated the horses, many of which needed urgent veterinary care.
In anticipation of the possibility the confiscated horses might be forfeited to KHS (which would be determined through a separate court action), Rhoades said anyone who might be interested in possibly adopting any of the horses should call (632-0610) or e-mail (khs@kauaihumane.org) KHS.
The website, kauaihumane.org, has more information, including before-and-after photographs of the horses.
Rhoades said Kawamura Farm Enterprises’ offer of discounts (10 percent off the $14.95 regular price of a bag) on the cost of alfalfa/hay cubes destined for the 16 horses has helped big time.
“We need feed” for several months of boarding, she said, adding that the horses go through around 20 bags of this feed per week.
