Gene Hackman’s surviving dogs dealt bittersweet blow as trainer breaks silence on pets’ futures
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s two surviving dogs have found new homes following the couple’s tragic deaths last month.
The pets, who were discovered at the couple’s Santa Fe property after their owners had died, have been successfully rehomed with the approval of the estate attorney.
Bear, a German Shepherd, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix, have been placed in separate homes – one locally in New Mexico and one out of state.
The dogs had been cared for at Santa Fe Tails since their rescue in February.
Joey Padilla, owner of Santa Fe Tails, confirmed the rehoming in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“It is with great joy that, with the consent of the Estate Attorney, I and my staff at Santa Fe Tails have successfully found homes for the Hackman’s surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita,” Padilla said.
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The Daily Mail reported that Padilla had recently returned from dropping off one of the dogs out of state, whilst the other has been moved to a local home.
A representative for the estates told People both dogs are “safe, healthy, and adjusting”, with Padilla adding that finding the right homes for the dogs involved “stringent efforts”.
“We went through stringent efforts to ensure the best homes were found, and the dogs have already begun settling into their new lives,” he told Fox News Digital.
The trainer had previously told the Daily Mail that dog lovers from across the nation had offered to take in the pets.
He had waited to make a decision until hearing back from representatives of the Hackman and Arakawa estates regarding the couple’s wishes for their beloved animals.
Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found dead in their Santa Fe home on 26 February by maintenance workers.
Officials determined Hackman died around 18 February from heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s as a contributing factor.
Arakawa is believed to have died on 11 February from hantavirus, a flu-like illness spread by rodent faeces.
Padilla was called to the couple’s house after their bodies were discovered with Bear already being captured by Santa Fe County Animal Control when Padilla arrived.
Nikita proved more difficult to rescue, as she was frightened and running around the property.
“She was running around the property, scared. She didn’t know what to do. I tried luring her with treats, but it didn’t work,” Padilla told the Daily Mail.
He eventually caught Nikita by setting up a cage with a trap overnight, with both dogs eventually being taken to Santa Fe Tails.
The couple’s third dog, Zinna, a 12-year-old Australian Kelpie mix, was found dead in a crate in the bathroom.
Veterinarians concluded Zinna died from dehydration and starvation.