COM 0798.044 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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'C"6 NQU 28 fln g U5 November 27, 2006 COUN County of Hawai'i Testimonial for Bill No. 258 (Fourth Draft) In ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the Hawai'i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as Amended), relating to animals Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, Good morning. I am writing this testimonial on behalf of the above-mentioned bill. As a citizen and tax payer in this county, I am in favor of Bill 258, draft 4, in its present form. However, I do take exception to the following aspects of the bill: * High Fines and Jail Terms: If a person like myself, has numerous and varied animals such as dogs, goats, cbickens, and cows, I could be subjected to numerous fines for each animal. In one week, if one animal is cited, then a different animal the next day, I could face several offenses for several animals within a matter of a few days. Consequently, the two (2) year period of time between offenses would place those with numerous animals at a grave disadvantage. The fine of not more than $1,000.00 and imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, are similar to petty misdemeanors that are cited in the Hawaii Revised Statues for those possessing small amounts of marijuana or those convicted of shoplifting or driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. Also, in lieu of imprisonment, the bill allows for the Court to order the defendant to serve a period of probation of not more than six months. This would place additional "strain" on an already overworked judicial system that is dealing with high caseloads, involving the use of crystal methamphetamine and its associated crimes that comes with addiction, such as shoplifting, petty thefts, assaults and criminal property damage. Basically, the severity of these punitive sanctions are not consistent with the nature of the offenses outlined in this bill, and would tax the already limited resources of law enforcement, the county, and the judicial system. Comm. N ON 44 Ref. To:Pre re Ref. Date 2q