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0 <br /> " +" �' West Hawaii Humane Society <br /> 1rin` P.O. Box 2885 • Kallua•Kone, Hawaii 98745 • (808) 320.2051 fax: 329.8721 <br /> t - <br /> • <br /> • <br /> 6 <br /> DATE. 12121/48 cam, <br /> • <br /> 'ID: All Council Members <br /> • <br /> FROM: Madelyn R. Barrel <br /> Executive Director, West Hawaii Humane Society <br /> Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the meeting of the Finance Committee on Wednesday, <br /> December 23, 1998 However, I would like to go on record as being in favor of the amendments <br /> to the laws pertaining to animals as previously submitted by Ginger Towle, <br /> These amendments will clarify the meaning of the related laws in such a way that it will be much <br /> easier for the public to understand and for the Animal Control Officers to enforce. <br /> In respect to the law on ° Vicious Dogs', I believe it ig necessary to impound the dog in question or <br /> to allow the owner to board the dog at their expense, in order to give the owner time to obtain or build <br /> a secure eneiostre for the animal In the past, when the dog remained with the owner before the enclosure <br /> was available, many times the dog was allowed to tun loose and attack and kill other animals and put <br /> people in danger. Also, the word "animal" should include ALL animals, As it stands now, it excludes <br /> another dog or cat This is not fair. Without amending the meaning of the word "animal ", a dog could <br /> be deemed vicious for killing a neighbor's chicken but not for killing a neighbor's poodle <br /> In clarifying the law about a dog running loose off of the owns property, it would be best that it mention <br /> that the dog must be on a "leash ". This way there is no question whether the dog is "in the owner's <br /> control" or not. I can understand how people who have never been an Animal Control Officer might think <br /> that this is not a problem, but having been an Officer myself, I can assure you, that many people do sue <br /> this point by insisting that the dog was "under their control' even though it was not on a leash I Z o <br /> And finally, in regards to the "Barking Dog Law". I believe that the Humane Societ should enfc -cc this O � <br /> law during their working hours As it stands now, these calls are handfed by the Police, It is public _. 8 <br /> knowledge that our Police force is understaffed and overworked, They should not have to deal with 4 <br /> animal related problems during the day. This is "Animal Control" which is what the county contact with at <br /> the Humane Society is for, During the evening hours, when the Humane Society is closed, and the Police z <br /> have Officers on regular duty, it would be reasonable for them to handle these calls at that time, saving the g z g <br /> county money in overtime if the Humane Society were to go our after hours for backing doge. r a <br /> Thank you for yot' consideration on the above amendments and HAPPY HOLIDAYS J 11 <br /> fer_ee;:ene aer-c <br />