×

Loose dogs slightly injure students at Kalama school

At least two, and as many as five, students at Kalama Intermediate School were slightly injured when two stray dogs roamed onto campus around midday Wednesday, according to Jocelyn Bouchard, chief executive officer of the Maui Humane Society.

A society animal control officer was dispatched to the Upcountry school at 12:30 p.m. to respond to a report of two dogs, a beagle mix and possible pitbull or terrier mix, Bouchard said.

By the time the officer arrived at the campus around 1 p.m., the dogs had been picked up by their owner, she said.

The officer interviewed the school nurse, who refused to identify the students who had sustained scratches or possibly bites from the dogs, Bouchard said. The nurse reported that the students were treated and sent back to classes.

“We don’t have serious injuries,” Bouchard said, adding that it appeared the dogs “got into the midst of the children.”

A school security guard reportedly got ahold of the dogs and set them loose at the nearby Eddie Tam Complex, she said.

Around the same time, the dogs’ owner called the Maui Humane Society to report they were missing, she said. “The staff put two and two together,” she added. “We’ll follow up and talk to her.”

The dog owner faces a citation for the dogs being off leashes, she said.

Meanwhile, animal control officers hope to be able to follow up and talk to the students who were injured, she said.

Kalama Intermediate Principal John Costales Jr. did not respond to a request for comment.

The incident occurred on Bouchard’s last day as head of the Maui Humane Society.

“There’s no dull moment at the Maui Humane Society,” she said.

In February, Bouchard resigned from the society to take a position as director of operations at the Hawaiian Humane Society on Oahu.

Maui Humane Society board members have not yet found a new chief executive officer, but they hope to have a replacement on board soon, she said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
     
Support Local Journalism on Maui

Only $99/year

Subscribe Today