HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0763.005 2022-2024 P/Pcl-(SW
bill '59
COMM.763
From: Shannon Rudolph
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 11:41 AM v {k
To: Council Testimony = a
Subject: Bill 139 —
CO ti
•
Aloha Council!I agree with Sylvia's testimony below.
Seems we' ve been going around with this issue for many years &
the can seems to get kicked down the road.
SOMETHING really needs to happen to get everyone on the
same page with our animal control problems - which are
seriously out of control in many instances.
Mahalo!
Shannon Rudolph - Holualoa
Sylvia:
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 and 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 their
budget, they expect MORE than limited services, unanswered calls, late responses, etc.
The Summary of issues gathered by the Council sanctioned Task Force are listed below. Why are
these issues not being addressed? We should not be waiting for the STATE revisions..
Comm. No. b• 5 •
i Ref. To: ItICHU
Ref. Date L.A.:,:L.A.:,R 1 9 2024
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. ,
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.
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.
4 Croke- COMMUNITY TASKFORCE FEEDBACK
e The top priority issues from all Nine Districts.
nut ize du ia.
No task is too big when done Stricter legislation,lack of consistent
to or' 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
f't1. Humane Animal Population Management.
® Humane Animal Population Management
Too many animals and no preventative programs.Catch and Kill is NOT an option.
0 Animal Welfare—Cruelty,abuse,neglect and ABANDONEDMENT.
Lack of owner responsibility for animals and no preventative or compliance programs.
LI 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, Pele 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. 501c3
President, Aloha Lokahi Association, 501c3
President, Kulia I Ka Nu'u Outreach Services
Vice President, Love Those Dog Paws, 501c3
Executive Coach, Hewlett-Packard Enterprises
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.-Anne
Frank
2