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Bethea, Skip <br /> From: Jennifer Wheat [wheat@hawaii.edu] <br /> Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 2:39 PM Apr:- Gf . ZS' ~1~ <br /> <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us ~ Y'" <br /> Cc: pbinder@hawaii.edu %~.>+~.._-~l2ll u S <br /> Subject: Communication 22.1, Bill#4, Draft 2 ~ <br /> <br /> Aloha, I am writing in support of a proposed animal control bill requiring <br /> more owner accountability and higher fines for repeated violations. Over <br /> <br /> the eleven years that I have lived in this county, I have witnessed a <br /> <br /> variety of thoughtless behaviors on the part of animal owners who have no <br /> consideration for their animals or for their human neighbors. On some <br /> nights I have been unable to sleep due to the howling of dogs whose owners <br /> have left them confined in small spaces for extended lengths of <br /> time--sometimes for 3 or 4 days at a time. When I called the police, they <br /> said that they would be unable to do anything unless the owner was present. <br /> Owners did not respond to messages left asking them to make suitable <br /> arrangements for their dogs to prevent the constant howling. <br /> <br /> While I do understand that law enforcement officers are already <br /> over-extended and may not be trained to deal with animal control, the <br /> persistence of this problem underscores a need for more resources devoted <br /> <br /> to this matter, especially as more lots are developed and the island <br /> becomes more densely populated. <br /> People need to know that their homes will provide the safety and rest that <br /> <br /> they need in order to function effectively. This law may also afford <br /> <br /> greater protection to animals who are out of control because their own <br /> basic needs are being ignored, or because their owners are negligently <br /> <br /> allowing them to run at large, putting them at risk from people who are <br /> <br /> frustrated by their behavior. Just this weekend one of my neighbor's dogs <br /> showed up with an arrow stuck in her thigh. While I have no way of knowing <br /> <br /> whether this was some kind of perverse prank or aproperty-owner's way of <br /> <br /> trying to keep the animal out of his garbage can, I do know that an <br /> innocent animal suffered. It is important that we have laws which protect <br /> both the animal and the human populations, and that these laws be enforced. <br /> Communication 22.1, Bill#4, draft 2 seems to offer a way to address these <br /> issues. I am asking that you support this measure. <br /> Mahalo, Jennifer C Wheat <br /> Jennifer Wheat <br /> <br /> Associate Professor of English <br /> UH-Hilo <br /> 200 W Kawili St <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> office:808-974-7488 <br /> Comm. No. Z Z <br /> Ref. To: e>few~ L <br /> [tef. Dote <br /> 1 <br /> <br />