Fate of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s surviving dogs revealed after tragic deaths

nypost.com:

two surviving dogs have been separated in the wake of the couple’s tragic deaths.Joey Padilla, the owner of dog day care center Santa Fe Tails, told the Daily Mail on Tuesday that Bear, a German shepherd, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix, have been sent to new homes.Padilla said he dropped off one of the dogs out of the state, while the other is in a local home.The dog trainer couldn’t reveal where the pets ended up, but he did confirm that Hackman and Arakawa’s estate lawyer signed off on the decision.“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 Hackmans’ surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita,” Padilla said in a statement, per the Daily Mail.“We went through stringent efforts to ensure the best homes were found and the dogs have already begun settling into their new lives,” he continued. “We are all thankful for the concern and well wishes Bear and Nikita have received during their transition.”Padilla’s statement added, “It is our hope that everyone continues to wish them the best and honor their privacy so they can continue to heal.”A personal representative for the estates also released a comment to People. “In response to numerous concerned inquiries about the Hackmans’ dogs, both Bear and Nikita have been placed in appropriate homes,” the statement read. “Both are safe, healthy and adjusting to their new environments.”Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were found in their New Mexico home on Feb.

26 by maintenance workers who called 911.Officials revealed that Hackman died around February 18, the last day his pacemaker recorded any data.