A County Council committee observed a moment of silence Tuesday for an 85-year-old woman who died Sunday, almost a month after being attacked by multiple dogs Aug. 14 in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
The silence was requested by Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder during a meeting of the council’s Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee, during which the county’s animal control contract was an agenda item.
Police Chief Paul Ferreira told the lawmakers he could share no further details about the ongoing investigation into the woman’s death.
On Tuesday evening, police identified the victim as Dolores Teresa Oskins of Keaau.
According to police, Oskins died at Hilo Medical Center, where she had been since the incident.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.
The incident occurred on 12th Avenue. Oskins was searching for her lost dog when multiple neighboring dogs attacked her.
The Oskins’ 89-year-old husband and an 88-year-old family member, also a man, immediately went to her aid and were also attacked by the dogs, police said.
All three victims were taken to the Hilo Medical Center.
Oskins was bitten on her head, neck and arms and had multiple lacerations and puncture wounds. The two men were treated for their injuries and released from the hospital.
Following the incident, county animal control officers took two dogs into custody.
Detectives are still investigating the incident and will forward the results, when it is completed, to prosecutors, police said.
Anyone with information about this incident – or wishing to report vicious dogs – can call the police department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune- herald.com
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
