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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0763.003 2022-2024 p / Pc- 3u iN Cow.76� From: Sylvia Dolena Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 8:36 AM To: Council Testimony Cc: Runnells, Matthew S.; Roth, Mitch Dtts Subject: BILL 139 TESTIMONY: Needs major inclusions and clarifications Aloha Council Members, I know you have many serious issues to work on and I mean no disrespect with my testimony. ,? That being said, the changes to Chapter 4 for Animal Laws in Bill 139 are intended to add clarity. However, many residents do not care if an Enforcement Officer is called an Animal Control Officer, or a Police Officer or dog catcher. This role clarity needs to be clear between Animal Control and HPD. Why waste time on administrative, cosmetic changes that mean nothing to the public? Incorporate significant changes that the public is requesting. The residents (tax-payers, constituents) care about a lot of other issues. They are overwhelmed and frustrated, animals are suffering and it appears to the residents that NOTHING IS BEING DONE. The System is still broken for the most part, so why not bring in local and national experts to help/guide/reform this agency. It seems it is business as usual and with $3.4MM in the budget, residents expect MORE than limited services, unanswered calls, late responses, etc. And on the positive side. Animal Control agency did put a policy in place to hold animals for 10 days to allow time for owner/pet reunions! The Summary of issues gathered by the Council sanctioned Task Force are listed below (image) Why are these issues not being addressed?We should not be waiting for the STATE revisions. The Council can mandate additions/modifications/revisions to the Animal Control and Protection Agency Charter. It MUST go beyond the Law Enforcement mandate because this is not even being consistently enforced. PREVENTATIVE protocols must be in place to deter more dog attacks, animal over population and animal cruelty. Why is Animal Control and Protection Agency staff telling callers that they don't do cats? The calling resident is referred to DLNR whose jurisdiction is "wildlife and feral" animals. Religating this responsibility to DLNR puts these abandoned/stray/lost pets-cats in line for eradication which has already started with the poisoning of 70 plus cats at the Kea'au Transfer Station with rat poison- -a horrible death. There are more reports of cat killings. Killing cats does not save Native Birds when the#1 cause is the disease-carrying mosquito and #2 is loss of habitat due to humans. This Bill 139 also does not completely clarify which animals are under jurisdiction of Animal Control. Abandoned, stray, lost cats should be included. Two County workers have informed several animal welfare people of the alleged plan for eradication of the cats in public spaces. This would be animal cruelty when abandoned pet species animals are treated like vermin. These are abandoned animals dumped by owners and/or neighbors of owners. Comm. ;go ). -- Ref. To: G 1 Ref. Dote „ 1 9 2024 'Ct'Uhe Nana COMMUNITY TASKFORCE FEEDBACK s� The top priority issues from all Nine Districts. nut Re alu ta. No task is too big when done © Stricter legislation, lack of consistent together by all. enforcement of the laws. New laws needed THE CHARTER for Animal Control and Protection Agency MUST include responsibilities beyond the Laws mandate and must include ownership for Humane Animal Population Management. Humane Animal Population Management Too many animals and no preventative programs. Catch and Kill is NOT an option. Animal Welfare—Cruelty, abuse,neglect and ABANDONEDMENT. Lack of owner responsibility for animals and no preventative or compliance programs. Loose, Lost,Stray animals,Vicious dogs. Too many animals starving.injured,wandering on the roads,and animals causing mayhem. Mahalo for your consideration. Sylvia Dolena Owner, Pete Lani Farm LLC Owner, Winning Edge Women's Leadership Director, Puna Rising Entrepreneur Hub Co-founder, Aloha Animal Advocates, HI Domestic non-profit Director, Malama O'Puna. 501 c3 President, Aloha Lokahi Association, 501 c3 President, Kulia I Ka Nu'u Outreach Services Vice President, Love Those Dog Paws, 501 c3 Executive Coach, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises 2