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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.044 2022-2024 PICou( if bill 2a C0µ04.41 From: Sylvia Dolena Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 9:49 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: HOLD/REVISE BILL 22 Until critical changes are made c;:=, Attachments: Law changes for.Bill22v3.pdf rri Aloha Council Members, Bill 22 can have a positive impact if it is comprehensive enough. It its current state, it is not. I understand iurpose-is to Create the new agency. However, history has demonstrated that once passed,the changes the commuy is demanding will be a long time coming,if ever. Trust is broken. REVISED 2-21-23: The Table below is a high-level rough draft of the laws or Sections that must be changed before a new animal control agency is operational. Most of the laws are archaic and must be changed; however these are the highest priorities. A new agency is only as good as the laws they enforce, and as good as its training and experience. We need local and national experts involved in the forming/designing of this agency. HCC Law Brief Description Change Required Reference 4-14 c, 4-20 a-b, Law states there is a 48- 48 hours hold time for (licensed or unlicensed) 4-21 a-b, 4-22 hour hold time for stray stray animals is too short. Research shows it take animals before they can at least 7 days for owners to redeem their be disposed of, meaning animals. Increase hold times to 7-10 days. If an killed. owner does not come forward, transfer the animal to an animal welfare partner. 4-27 Penalty for poisoning a Law must be repealed and the applicable law dog is $10 per incident. which mentions poisoning is HRS 711-17 Animal Cruelty. 4-29, 4-30 Leash Law and Stray Dog Penalties and consequences must be increased to Law act as a deterrent and potentially prevent loose, stray animals/dogs from attacking other animals or humans. Bill 22, Section Purpose Add to Section 1 Purpose, second paragraph, 1 Humane Animal Population Management by implementing humane preventative methods for overpopulation. Bill 22, Section Agency Organization Initiate a bill to establish an oversight committee 3 (2) OR include in Bill 22. This is not a commission Establish Oversight or board, but a body to receive and investigate Committee comprised of 1 complaints from the public, and to oversee/inspect representative of each shelter operations for the humane treatment of county district and animals. (This was previously under the authority selected by each Council of HPD Admin Chief who oversaw the HIHS, member. HRR animal control operations). Bill 22, Section Powers and Duties "May enter into agreements with private 3 (3) entities..." allows the Animal Control and n 1 Comm.No. Q144 Ref.To: V t(AUIIUI Ref.Date FEB 2 2 7073 Protection agency to enter into an agreement, a sub-contractor arrangement, to provide humane animal population management in the form of county funded, free/low-cost spay and neuter services, TNR and other methods of preventative animal population management. Bill 22, Section Quarterly Reports Transparency: Reporting Requirements should 4-2-7 Required be as stated in RFP 3950 and RFP 2940 for animal control operations, and shelter activity to And be reported and made public monthly. Additionally, an annual report of operations shall Bill 22, Section Period reports be made to the applicable County Committee to 3 -2-(4) ensure compliance with applicable laws and performance measures and objectives as outlined in the Agency's Scope of Work. New Law - 2 Muncie Ordinance or Initiate a bill to establish shelter standards Aloha Animal Advocates recognized by national animal welfare Shelter Operations Plan to organizations. There are successful, well-written define shelter standards legislation available from other States. and get the County out of the dark ages. New Law— 3 Companion Animal Initiate a bill to pass CAPA: CAPA is based on Protection Act (CAPA) to model legislation written by the No Kill Advocacy reduce the high kill rate of Center, founder Nathan Winograd, also an pet species animals attorney who reviewed and approved the strategic plan authored by the local Aloha Animal Advocates organization. New Law - 4 Animal Cruelty, Neglect, Initiate a bill to establish protocol to evaluate an Abuse to be evaluated by animal subjected to cruelty, neglect or abuse. an animal health Animal cruelty laws are not enforced due to the professional. inability or lack of authority of animal control officers to evaluate the condition of the animal or the environment the animal is in. 2