HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.014 2022-2024 / 0 &
bill 2
From: Sylvia Dolena
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2023 7:37 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: CONDITIONAL SUPPORT OF BILL 22: 3 critical issues not addressed
Aloha Councilmembers!
Mahalo for your service and attention to the crucial issues on this island.
I am CONDITIONALLY SUPPORTING BILL 22 IF:
1. In the NACA assessment(National Animal Control &Care Association which all the RFPs point to as the authority) and
the internal legislative auditor's assessment, both said an Oversight Committee/Commission should oversee animal
control. So when this agency is created,an Oversight Committee needs to be defined in this current proposed
legislation, Bill 22. A representative/resident from each County District should be members of the Committee. This
will go a long way to restore the lack of trust and address the lack of transparency prevalent in the current AC
administration.
2.The second point, most of the animal laws are weak outdated and inhumane. These laws must change BEFORE the
new AC Agency is in operations.
Example:
(As you may know, my team and 1 worked with Ashley K on Bill 125-vicious dogs).
Currently,the hold time for an unlicensed stray dog is 48 hours,then the animal can be killed. Research has proved
that it takes at least 5-7 days on this island to find an owner in most cases. Hence the high kill rate by HIHS. This law
is atrocious from various standpoints and should be changed before the movement of animal control The new
Agency should have a new set of laws, new protocols and above all NEW leadership otherwise none of the issues will
go away.
*Aloha Animal Advocates has the processes, procedures and detailed operations lined out in the strategic plan that
was reviewed and approved by Alley Cat Allies,Western Regional Director Jose Ocano of Best Friends, Nathan
Winograd (attorney),of No-Kill Advocacy and several local non-profit organizations. This can be made available to
the Council to use to define the organizational and operational details of a new agency. Let's not reinvent the wheel.
3. The establishment of an Animal Population Management function is necessary to humanely and proactively address
the pet species animal overpopulation. The catch-and-kill model used for the past 25 years(except for the one year HRR
had the contract) is cruel, inhumane and it does not work. If it did, we would not have this situation. Fund free spay and
neuter clinics again as part of this agency.
If this Agency ONLY uses the NRS and HCC laws as their charter, nothing will change. We will have the same ongoing
issues.
Mahalo for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Sylvia Dolena
Aloha Animal Advocates
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