Man arrested in connection with Koloa dog strangling case

The Kaua‘i Police Department has arrested 49-year-old Jason Mearns in connection with a recent animal cruelty and assault incident.

According to the KPD, officers responded to a report that a dog had been strangled to death on Elke Road in Kōloa at approximately 12 p.m. on Mar. 17.

“A 35-year-old male resident of Kōloa was inside his residence when he heard a loud noise coming from where his dog was kept outside. Upon exiting the residence, the 35-year-old man found Mearns lifting his dog off the ground by its chain,” the KPD said in a statement.

The department continued, stating “an argument ensued which resulted in the 35-year-old man sustaining an abrasion to his left forearm and multiple scrapes and bruises.”

When officers arrived at the scene, they reportedly found the dog, a 3-year-old terrier mix, was already dead.

Mearns has been arrested for the offense of Cruelty to Animals in the First Degree and Assault in the Third Degree.

His bail has been set at $20,000, and he has been transferred to Judiciary for arraignment.