HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0135.045 2022-2024 P/5 Council
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From: Jeanne Serra
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 10:45 AM -
To: Council Testimony --
Subject: Bill 30, Animal Control Budget for Prevention Bill 30, Reallocate some of-the animal
control funds to these items .-
Hello my name is Jeanne Serra and I am a resident of Keaau, HI (15-1506 13th Ave. Keaau, HI 96749) tin
I am writing this email to express my sincere concern of the increase of vicious dog attacks that are
continuing to occur across Puna. Most recently, Amber Clausen and her mother who were viciously
attacked by their neighbor's dog and Amber is currently in the ICU. The most horrific part about this
tragic incident is that this was not the first time this dog had attacked Amber. The dog had previously
bitten her hand causing nerve damage. The dog was not properly contained and the threat was not
sufficiently addressed. This most recent attack was 100% preventable.
Prevention: This should not have happened. This can be prevented by having, not only a citation for
minor incidents (loose dog) given to the owner for a first incident but to track the subsequent calls
reporting incidents regarding the same owner and same dog. This is key to ensuring that the
incidents are tracked for severity of the violation.
Then the Police/Animal Control can determine when to make the call to increase the violation
consequences. This does not seem to happen. Owners of these vicious animals need to be held to
account for their animal's behavior. It is their responsibility to keep their dog from harming other
animals and humans.
I have a 3 year old daughter and a baby on the way. I do not walk outside of my gate due to the
number of attacks that are continuing to occur. I should feel safe in my neighborhood, on my street,
we all should. And those that are making our streets less safe with their vicious dogs need to be the
ones taking responsibility and changing their actions not the other way around.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my concerns. I hope these and others who have
emailed you are taken seriously and action follows.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Serra
Comm. No V.IA
Ref. To: PIPIMA/VA1 Ref. Date UN - 1 2023