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Pam Mizuno
<br /> PO Box 728
<br /> Pahala, Hawaii 96777
<br /> Phone 928-8978
<br /> February 11, 2006
<br /> Stacy K. Higa, Chair
<br /> And Council Members
<br /> Hawaii County Council
<br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 209
<br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720
<br /> Re: Written Testimony In Opposition Of Bi114, Draft 6, Agenda Item For County
<br /> Council Meeting To Be Held On Wednesday, February 15, 2006
<br /> Dear Council Chair Higa ,and Council Members James Y. Arakaki, Pete Hoffinann, Fred
<br /> C. Holschuh, M.D., Bob Jacobson, K. Angel Pilago and Gary Safarik:
<br /> Please accept this letter as written testimony urging you to defeat Bi114, Draft 6 in its
<br /> current form. I am writing to you as a "Dog Fancier" that has participating in various
<br /> facets of the sport since 1977. 1 have trained, handled, and groomed multiple breeds of
<br /> purebred dogs, in addition to organizing AKC (American Kennel Club) licensed events,
<br /> and judging AKC sanctioned matches here, on Oahu, and Maui. Over the many years, I
<br /> have maintained membership in both the Orchid Island Dog Fancier Club, Inc. and the
<br /> Hilo Obedience Training Club, and was at one time a member of the Kona Coast Kennel
<br /> Club as well. These are the three organizations in Hawaii County, which are licensed by
<br /> AKC to hold competitive licensed and sanctioned events.
<br /> Although I am not in support of leash free dog parks, there are specific instances other
<br /> than hunting, where dogs must be allowed OFF LEASH in public facilities and private
<br /> school grounds to train and compete in Dog Shows, Obedience Trials, Rally Trials, and
<br /> Agility Trials. By not excluding these activities to the leash requirement, Bill 4, Draft 6
<br /> denies participants the right to continue to enjoy these sporting events. As it is now
<br />
<br /> written, Bill 4, Draft 6 reads:
<br /> Article 1. Administrative Provisions
<br /> Section 4-1. Definitions.
<br /> Paee 3
<br /> "Stray" means:
<br /> (2) any dog on a roadway, on public or private school grounds, or in any other
<br /> public place, except when under the control of the owner by leash, cord, chain,
<br /> or other similar means of physical restraint, provided that such leash, cord,
<br /> chain, or other means is not more than six feet in length, and provided further
<br /> that this provision shall not be construed to permit that which is prohibited by
<br /> any other law; or
<br /> Cornet. No. Z ~ S
<br /> Ref. To; PrrN~rw
<br /> Ref. Co'e QT~1,t~ .
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