Pit-Bull Wounded in Police Gunfire Euthanized, Woman Arrested

Sierra Andrade.

A Maui woman was arrested on allegations of attempted assault against police after she allegedly un-caged a pit-bull during police response to a home in Wailuku.

The incident stemmed from a report at 11:03 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in which an adult male requested police assistance regarding possible drug activity at his Wailuku home. The caller requested police to remove the individuals who were allegedly using drugs in his home.

Police say members of the MPD Crime Reduction Unit responded to the area. According to police reports, the caller left prior to police arrival.

Police say officers knocked and announced their presence, but there was no response, and a dog could be heard barking from within. According to police reports, the officers located a side door which was left “wide open,” and entered the home to make welfare checks as they observed furniture and other items in disarray.

According to police reports, officers located a female suspect, Sierra Andrade, 23, of Wailuku, who police say was with an adult male in a rear bedroom of the home. While speaking with Andrade, police say she walked away towards the living room.

An officer followed behind her to the living room where police say he observed Andrade opening the cage to release the pit-bull. Police allege Andrade “made no attempts to put a leash on the canine before opening the cage.”

According to police reports, the pit-bull “immediately charged towards the officers who attempted to back away into the hallway.”

Police say the two officers drew their weapon “as there was no room to escape,” and “shot towards the pit-bull to avoid injury.”

Police say the pit-bull was injured during the incident and the Humane Society was called to the scene.

According to police, the Humane Society personnel deemed the pit-bull to be gravely injured and it was subsequently put to sleep. No officers or other individuals were injured.

Andrade was placed under arrest and was charged with two counts of first degree attempted assault against a police officer.

Andrade was later released after posting $10,000 bail.