HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.057 2022-2024 P/Counc,i l
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From: Lynn McLaren _
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2023 12:11 PM
To: Council Testimony ti
Subject: County of Hawaii Bill No. 22 - Testimony for February 21-22
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Communication 91.38 re Bill 22 (Draft 2): -7)<77
CREATING AN ANIMAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION AGENCY =i
Dear Council Members,
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Thank you for taking time to read my testimony regarding Bill 22.
Creating a new agency for oversight, control and care of our island animals is imperative based on my personal limited
experience dealing with rescues of animals on this island.
It is my understanding after reading the Bill that all animal control officers will have the powers of a sheriff or police
officer in carrying out the Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 143 and chapter 711 relating to the protection of animals and
4 of the Hawaii County Code.This information is laid out in the "Purpose Section" of the Bill. Will all persons who are
hired by this proposed Animal Control Protection Agency have to undergo law enforcement training in order to conduct
their jobs?Or will they be ride along personnel with a trained law enforcement officer? If the idea here is to take this
immense responsibility away from HPD, I would assume that all employed persons under this new proposed ACPA will
undergo stringent law enforcement training in order to be hired? Training in social work, mental health, mediation, and
animal welfare are necessary, along with law enforcement training, in order to deal with many of the situations that
present themselves involving animal care on this island.
Under Section 2 of the Bill, changes under this section should include specific information regarding the work of the
Managing Director's oversight of the Animal Control and Protection Administrator. A report from the Administrator to
the Manager should be required to be reviewed quarterly by Council to insure and assist this process, and support the
needs of this new agency's management, as they form a new path forward. It is imperative that the public support this
new Agency's process each quarter and feel protected and heard, as this is a passionate and top priority issue to many
people on this island. The entire Agency should be reviewed annually by council to insure compliance with the
regulations and laws and to update any necessary changes to insure compliance within the system.
The necessary amendments to chapter 2 and chapter 4 for the implementation of the ACPA, prior to forming the
Agency, requires on going and careful review. The Agency will need comprehensive legal standing in order to fully
conduct their duties If these chapters are not amended prior to the Agency formation,the Agency will be lacking the
necessary tools to provide complete and continuous animal control service to Hawaii Island. In the process of amending
chapter's 2 and 4, and any other chapters necessary for compliance, there are many considerations to be addressed in
order to create a comprehensive solution or at least a good plan "A"to alleviate the difficult animal overpopulation
situation the state is currently experiencing. The following are items to consider in the amendments of these chapters
and laws;
Spay and Neuter considerations are key to addressing animal control issues on this island. Amendments to areas of the
law allowing for temporary assistance by mainland veterinarians are necessary to help solve this crisis. It is important
for the county to fund the resources already in place on this island,where many diligent people are working at capacity
in the spay/neuter clinics and rescue organizations.
Our community leaders can help within their district areas as liaisons with their neighbors to educate and assist with
stray, abandoned and general population control. A point person in every neighborhood can be set up with the tools
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required to assist with stray and abandoned animals. An advisory group can be set up to include these community
leaders from all areas of the island. Rescues and Veterinarians,who are on the front lines can lead community
discussions as part of this advisory group.
Kiosks can be set up in each community in order to get the public to microchip and license their animals for free,with an
amnesty grace period until the end of this year, after that fees can be charged for these services at the same kiosks.
It would be of benefit to the new agency to work with other county agencies in some of the more difficult situations that
require diplomatic solutions with animal owners in order to protect the animals and the public. Mental health and social
services workers can be a great asset to many difficult situations. Creating a team of persons from various county
agencies,to assist as boots on the ground, is an important step forward for this start up Agency.
A review group or person should be formed/put into position to help move the"fractious dog" cases through the system
expeditiously. Instead of burdening the courts and filling the impound kennels with these cases,the cases can be
reviewed by an ombudsman/investigator like person on behalf of the families. This person can report to the ACPA their
findings in order to assist with adjudication of the case. A panel of people, such as a grand jury model, can be set up to
make the final decision on the evidence presented by both sides.
I strongly advise that all of these line items be included in the amended chapters, articles and laws surrounding the
creation of this new Animal Control Protection Agency to insure future success.
Thank you for your time and work to insure that the animals and people on this island are cared for with the best
possible outcomes.,
Sincerely,
Lynn McLaren Dewey
805-568-1434
LMD202062@gmail.com
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