Help Bring Makana Home! Animal Rights Attorney!

Dear Friends and fellow Animal Lovers,

On November 29, 2023 I took my beloved dog, Makana, to meet "friends of a friend" at their house. I let him stay with them, and when I arranged to pick him up, they refused to give him back to me, saying that "I gave him to them." That never happened! I was completely stunned, and couldn’t believe what they were saying. They also said to never contact them again!

I immediately called the Police and the Maui Humane Society to report him as Stolen. The Police Department documented my call, but said that because I brought him there, he is not considered “stolen”. By law he is considered “property” that they are “refusing to return”.

The Humane Society reassured me that I am still the legal owner, and they will not change the owner’s name on his microchip or dog license without my written permission. They flagged him as stolen, and suggested that I request a police escort to accompany me to bring him home that day.

The police officer stated that he could not help me get him back, as he is “property” and not a child. (This is a law I want to change!) He said that it’s a Civil case, and the only way to get my dog back is to take them to Court. So that’s what I did.

I sent them a legal “Demand Letter for his Return” with the help of an attorney, and they refused. After many attempts to have him returned to me peacefully and quickly without going to court, they continued to deny that I am his legal owner, and stated that they are. They hired an attorney, and made statements to him that are simply not true; such as that I came over to their house that day (people I’d never met) for the sole purpose of giving them my dog! No way.

I had them served to appear in Court for their “Refusal to Return Property of the Legal Owner.” That “property” is my sweet dog, Makana.

To update this post, it is now three months later and I’ve been to court three times. I recently met with them for Mediation, which failed to result in his return. He is still at their house, waiting for me to bring him home. Our next court date is May 13th.

I am requesting a second Mediation meeting with a more skillful mediator. There’s no promise of a positive outcome, but the session we just had the other day was very poorly done.

Anyone who loves their pets as “family” (and that’s most of us!) will understand that this is very different from having “property” such as a TV stolen! When this fiasco is over, I plan to propose legislation to change pet status from property to family when needed. This will help relieve heartbreak for many people and their pets who are in this position. (I had no idea!)

It is so hard to comprehend their refusal to let him come home. I’m asking for your help to hire an excellent, experienced Animal Rights Attorney to win this case and BRING MAKANA HOME!!

I have known him since he was born into my sister's hands. He and I have a very strong bond, and our loyalty and devotion to each other is well-known by many people in our community. He is a 2.5 year-old Champion line Aussie, and is not only missing me, but all his siblings, cousins and playmates at the dog park.

He is being kept there against his will and mine. It is unbearable to have him taken from me, and from the only life he has known and absolutely loved. He was such a Happy Camper!

Please give what you can, and pass this on to other people who love animals, and want them to be cared for and protected.

Thank You So Much for your help in bringing Makana safely home, and helping others avoid this terrible situation in the future.

Please Join me! Together we will make our voices heard!

With Deep Gratitude for your generosity and support,

Maloah and Makana Stillwater