REP PSPRC 004 02/01/2005 2004-2006

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY and PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: February 1, 2005 RE: Comm No. 22, 22.1, 22.2/Bill 4 PLACE: Council Chambers TIME: 8:30 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation, to which was referred Bill 4, reports as follows: Bill 4, transmitted by Councilmember Bob Jacobson, via Communication 22, dated November 19, 2004, amends chapter 4, Hawaii County Code, relating to Animals. The intent of Bill 4 is to enhance enforcement of the County's ordinances relating to animal control; allow an animal care center to contract with the county to provide animal control services; and provide a means to allow the County to receive monies generated by the fines proposed in the bill. Your Committee received Drafts 1, 2 and 3 of Bill 4 via Communication Nos. 22, 22.1, and 22:?. Your Committee voted to replace Drafts 1 and 2 with Draft 3. Bill 4 proposes to enhance enforcement in several ways: 1. l3 establishes minimum fines of $75 for violations of many of the animal control provisions. 2. It increases the fines that can be levied for violations. 3. It makes it easier for police officers to issue citations for noisy dogs by: deleting the requirement that the complainant attempt to notify the custodian of the noisy dog prior to calling the police; eliminating the one-hour noise abatement clause; and reducing the amount of time that a dog barks at night for a citation to be issued. 4. [t allows violators to pay a citation without coming to court, thereby reducing the need for police officers to spend time at court. Bill 4 increases fines for failing to observe the animal control regulations to ensure owners will more readily comply. Bill 4 requires greater owner/custodial responsibility. A newly added section requires farm animals to be securely fenced, and prohibits the owner/custodian from allowing the animals to stray.