Ocean View man allegedly kicked and stabbed his dog

A 64-year-old Ocean View man accused of killing one of his dogs has been released from custody on parole, a form of non-cash bail.

Robert P. Harris is charged with first-degree cruelty to animals and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Harris was arrested early Friday evening after Ka'u patrol officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the area of ​​King Kamehameha Boulevard and Aloha Boulevard in Hawaii's Ocean View Estates neighborhood.

According to police, dispatch received information that a man was attempting to break up fighting dogs. However, another caller reported seeing a man abusing his dogs. When officers arrived, they found a medium-sized black dog lying dead in the middle of the road. The dog appeared to have multiple stab wounds on the right side of its body.

A witness reported that the man kicked the dog a few minutes before its body was found.

Officers found and contacted the man, later identified as Harris, about a block from the crime scene. Police say Harris' hands were covered in blood and he was carrying a knife with a bloody blade.

According to police, Harris also confirmed that the dead dog belonged to him.

Harris was arrested for animal cruelty. During a search of Harris' home, a marijuana pipe was found, police said.

At Harris' first court appearance on Monday, Assistant Public Defender David Saiki requested that Harris, who was being held on $5,000 bail, be released under supervision as recommended by the Intake Service Center. Assistant State's Attorney Robert Gebbia did not object, and Kona County District Judge Ann Datta granted the defense's request.

Datta ordered Harris to return for a preliminary hearing on September 20.

The charge of first-degree cruelty to animals is a Class C felony, punishable by a possible five-year prison sentence if convicted.

Email John Burnett at [email protected]