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SHEEP PRODUCER'S ASSOCIATIO~j±1~~^~~LA~AIJ~;;; ~ 3.~ <br /> Hawaii Chapter oCAmerican Sheep Assoc~ahon <br /> PO Box 7139 <br /> Kamuela,H[ 96743 ~~C;~_~,~~ <br /> (808) 885-9700 <br /> rickh~a~,kamuelapride.com <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> <br /> Via email councilstestimony(roco.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Members of the Council; <br /> RF,: Pending Legislative changes for Animal Control <br /> I wish to submit testimony as President of the Sheep Producer's Association of Hawaii on <br /> <br /> behalf of our membership. We have 20 members, which includes small flocks of 6 or so <br /> <br /> head up to working ranches with hundreds of head. We also work directly with 4-H <br /> sheep raisers. Our membership encircles the Big Island. <br /> We have begun addressing the economic loss created by wild, feral and unrestrained dogs <br /> that predate on chickens, goats, sheep and cattle that we raise for a living. Domestic dogs <br /> are also part of this problem, when they are in our pastures for "sport," chasing, maiming <br /> and killing domestic livestock. Domestic dogs will act alone, or will gather into a pack at <br /> night with other dogs and attack domestic livestock and then sleep all day, with typically <br /> the owner being unaware of this nighttime activity. <br /> These wild and domestic dogs incur direct loss to producers whether through direct kills <br /> or injury and trauma requiring vet treatment. SPAH members report thousands of dollars <br /> in losses, and losing a whole Flock in a single night is a common experience. Predator <br /> dogs that have been caught have included wild and feral dogs as well as neighbor's <br /> unrestrained pets. <br /> SPAT I members follow a policy of "good neighbor" first, meaning providing adequate <br /> and appropriate fencing, direct communication with neighbors and reporting livestock <br /> predation to the police. <br /> We have previously testified before the Hawaii County Police Commission asking for <br /> their support to deputize US Wildlife Services agents in an effort to deal with predator <br /> loss. The Police Chief has been reluctant to deputize animal control officers to carry and <br /> use lirearms due to liabilities. Currently there is no funding to assign a US Wildlife <br /> Services agent to the State of Hawaii. <br /> Comm. No. ZZ•~Od <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Uate <br /> <br />