Haleiwa woman accused of slitting dog’s throat pleads not guilty
Andrea Fiegle, 36, entered a plea of not guilty this morning to felony charges connected to the killing of her dog last month in her home.
A 36-year-old Haleiwa woman entered a plea of not guilty Thursday morning to felony charges connected to the killing of her dog last month in her home.
An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment May 2 charging Andrea Fiegle with felony cruelty to animals.
Fiegle, who is free after posting $11,000 bail, will go before Circuit Judge Randal Lee on July 8.
Fiegle did not speak during her arraignment before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins.
However, after the court hearing Fiegle told reporters that she is concerned about the welfare of her 9-year-old daughter, who Child Protective Services placed in a foster home after Fiegle allegedly cut the throat of their family pet April 29.
Police said Fiegle told them she cut the dog’s throat with a 12-inch kitchen knife at her Paalaa Road home after losing her temper. She said the dog kept sniffing at her daughter’s "private area" and didn’t listen to commands to stop.
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However, her daughter contradicted what her mother told police, said city Deputy Prosecutor Chastity Imamura before the May 2 grand jury indictment.
The daughter told police her mother injured herself just before killing the dog. She told police her mother picked up a rock at the park and hit herself in the head with it, Imamura said.
The police report said Fiegle called 911 to report that she had killed the dog. Police found the dog’s remains in a garbage bag.
Fiegle said she was told by the public defender’s office not to discuss her case. However, Fiegle, who said she has appeared as an extra on the ABC “Lost” television series, said there “are lots of things being said that is wrong.”
Fiegle said she believes she “has been set up.”
Her Haleiwa landlord kicked her out of her home after the incident because Fiegle said he was upset over television reports of the incident that pictured his dogs.
Fiegle said she has had a hard time sleeping because, “I do not know if my daughter is okay.”
Fiegle said she believes her daughter has been mistreated since she was placed in foster care and has been able to see her only a few times.
“I don’t understand what is going on,” Fiegle added. “I have no one to talk to.”
