HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0022.060 2004-2006 SHEEP PRODUCER'S ASSOCIATIO~j±1~~^~~LA~AIJ~;;; ~ 3.~
Hawaii Chapter oCAmerican Sheep Assoc~ahon
PO Box 7139
Kamuela,H[ 96743 ~~C;~_~,~~
(808) 885-9700
rickh~a~,kamuelapride.com
Hawaii County Council
Via email councilstestimony(roco.hawaii.hi.us
Members of the Council;
RF,: Pending Legislative changes for Animal Control
I wish to submit testimony as President of the Sheep Producer's Association of Hawaii on
behalf of our membership. We have 20 members, which includes small flocks of 6 or so
head up to working ranches with hundreds of head. We also work directly with 4-H
sheep raisers. Our membership encircles the Big Island.
We have begun addressing the economic loss created by wild, feral and unrestrained dogs
that predate on chickens, goats, sheep and cattle that we raise for a living. Domestic dogs
are also part of this problem, when they are in our pastures for "sport," chasing, maiming
and killing domestic livestock. Domestic dogs will act alone, or will gather into a pack at
night with other dogs and attack domestic livestock and then sleep all day, with typically
the owner being unaware of this nighttime activity.
These wild and domestic dogs incur direct loss to producers whether through direct kills
or injury and trauma requiring vet treatment. SPAH members report thousands of dollars
in losses, and losing a whole Flock in a single night is a common experience. Predator
dogs that have been caught have included wild and feral dogs as well as neighbor's
unrestrained pets.
SPAT I members follow a policy of "good neighbor" first, meaning providing adequate
and appropriate fencing, direct communication with neighbors and reporting livestock
predation to the police.
We have previously testified before the Hawaii County Police Commission asking for
their support to deputize US Wildlife Services agents in an effort to deal with predator
loss. The Police Chief has been reluctant to deputize animal control officers to carry and
use lirearms due to liabilities. Currently there is no funding to assign a US Wildlife
Services agent to the State of Hawaii.
Comm. No. ZZ•~Od
Ref. To:
Ref. Uate
SPAH supports the recommended legislative changes for animal control. Most of us own
dogs, and value them as both skilled working partners and / or as family pets. We believe
that permanent identification is the best means by which to rejoin owner and dog.
Some of us produce livestock for a living and every time a predator strikes, our livelihood
is encroached on. Dog owners must be responsible and be accountable for their dog's
behavior. We believe that the best way to increase accountability is by permanent
identification and fines for violations that impress the loss suffered by producers.
We ask that }iawaii County council members work with the dog owning community to
arrive at an equitable solution for accountable and responsible dog ownership. Many
times, less is more.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick tlabein, President
Sheep Producer's Association of Hawaii
rickh@kamuelapridc.com