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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0022.054 2004-2006 Page 1 oft Murashige, Laura From: Josephine Keliipio [Josephine@poidogs.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 10:17 AM To: Council Testimony Subject: BILL NO. 4, DRAFT `,i -ANIMAL CONTROL Dear Mr. Safarik, Mr. Jacobson and County Council Members, I oppose Bill No. 4, Draft 5 because it completely fails to acknowledge "animal guardians" whose animals are part of their family and "rescue people" who bring unwanted strays into their household and raise them as part of their family. My specific concerns about this Draft are as follows: Article 1. Definitions. Section 4-1. Definitions. i) In Section 4-1 (a), tFie definition for "Animals" should not include "Domesticated Animals" or animals treated as family members who are under the care of animal guardians. 2) In Section 4-1 (b), "I\nimal Care Center" should also include a sanctuary for stray or unwanted animals. 3) In Section 4-1, there should also be a definition for "Animal Guardian," who are persons who treat animals as members of their family. 4) In Section 4-1, (o), "~Dwner" should also include the "owner of other animals besides just a dog." 5) In Section 4-1, (v), "Stray" should not include a currently licensed dog whose license is not attached since the license could have been lost when the dog got out or the dog may have escaped from his enclosure and while in his enclosure he was not wearing his license. ARTICLE 3. Dog License Fees Section 4-12. Fees. 1) In Section 4-12. What was the intent of raising the fees to such an outrageous amount? Was it to make money for the county? or was it to discourage responsible animal guardians from rescuing unwanted dogs? Or was the intent to make sure that as many dogs as passible are licensed considering that many of us are average wage earners and not rich mainland newcomers? (a) the fees for a sterilized dog should be no more than $5.00 and (b) the fees for an unsterilized dog should be no more than $15.00. ARTICLE 4. Prohibitions Z2,Sy Gomm. No._ Ref. To: h~p~Z~lJ1AM i;~f. _-or~_MAR Z ~ " 3/22/05 Page 2 of 2 Section 4-17. Cruelty to animals, including dogs and cats. 1) This section also needs to list that cruelty includes catching any dog or cat for consumption. Section 4-24. Noisy Dogs. This section of the law needs to exempt dog caretakers and_guardians who live in noises neighborhoods or_who live on cultural acreage and work hard to make their dog babies adjust: to a human oriented environment. All dogs bark and most of them bark for reasons other than someone trespassing or provoking them. I live on the noisy roadway of Royal Poinciana Drive where over 7,000 noisy vehicles pass per day. Half of my dog family sleeps with me in the house at night and the other half shares a large outside porch. 99.9% of the noise in my neighborhood is human generated (panties, crying babies, screaming children, cars, trucks, loud TVs and stereos, people yelling, etc.) My dogs and I tolerate these noises well but sometimes my dogs are going to bark when I am not home (like when I am at a council hearing at night or working) due to any strange sound or if they hear other dogs barking in the distance. If my dogs have to put up with all the human generated noise that constantly goes on in my neighborhood, then why are we being penalized when its their turn to bark? This section is very biased and needs to be reevaluated as it assumes that every neighborhood is quiet uvhen this is not so. Section 4-25. Please restore all the sections (a), (b), (c) that were crossed out. I have had much success in dealing with other dog problems in my neighborhood by using these crossed out sections and the police are more willing to visit the owners once I show them the attempts that I have made. Plus the proposed penalties are extremely high and not compatible with our island lifestyle. Rescue -There is no provision for those who rescue unwanted dogs. How come? These people should be exempt from the sections on "harboring unwanted dogs." Micro-chips - I have a clog who get acupuncture treatments once per month. My vet says that the location of the micro chips is also an acupuncture point. Please do not make it mandatory for us to microchip our dogs unless the microchip can be placed in another location like the ear. Mahalo, Josephine Keliipio 76-168 Royal Poinciana Drive Kailua-Kona, Hi 96740 (808)326-7998 3/22/05