HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0022.084 2004-2006 Page 1 ~~1 2
Murashige, Laura
From: tom [dmakai@divemakai.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 11:07 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: URGENT! ANIMAL CONTROL CHANGES
nloha Hawaii County Council Members
Sirs, 1 realize that this is a form letter concerning animal control changes which you will be addressing
on .Tanuary 23, 3006.
"this states my feelings better than [could, this is not a "rani & rave" message but a plea for careful
consideration of the issues.
Please consider these suggestions regarding upcoming animal legislation on January 23rd,
2006.
Thank you very much,
Tom Shockley
73-4370 Huehue St.
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
325-5870
-Section 4-22, article 4 mandates a 48 hour holding period for impounded stray dogs, but
mentions nothing about cats. Currently the holding period for cats is 24 hours. It usually takes
at least 24 hours for an owner/feeder to notice if a cat is missing. Please request that this 48
hour holding period be mandated for cats as well
-The animal redemption fee is proposed to be raised from $10 to $25. You may or may not
know that when notified by the HIHS of the holding of an ear tipped (i.e.neutered cat), this
redemption fee that we must pay is hardship enough after the $65./$50. invested in neutering
the animal. Please request that this fee should be waived for AdvoCats because they have
voluntarily and with private (not county) funds and volunteer labor, undertaken a job which
should be under the domain of the HIHS, but due to a lack of resources, these animals are
euthanized unnecessarily because it is the "cheapest" option. (This is a 150% increase in the
redemption fee, which comes out of pocket from the person who redeems the cat and tries to
find its rightful owner.)
-Penalties for cruelty to animals which mentions dogs and cats have been raised, which is a
good thing, however, Section 4-29, regarding "Injury or poisoning of dogs", should be
reworded to include cats as well. We are well aware of the rash of cat poisonings and the
hangings of poisoned feral cats at Honokohau Harbor last year. Cats should be included along
with dogs in BOTH measures A and B.
-most of the ordinance and fee changes award the lowest tier of fees to animals with
microchips. There are problems with microchipping that council members may be unaware of
in that the chips can move internally and are not foolproof for identification. Also, it is
difficult ,and sometimes impossible to scan a terrified, aggressive animal (which may be that
way only because it has been traumatized). I believe this "fee bias" to encourage
microchipping is inappropriate. 22 g4
Cornm. No.
Ref. To: U
Rsf. ~ ate I
1 /23/2006
Page 2 of 2
-certain factions of dog owners have raised the issue at hearing about licenses for cats.
Nuisance dogs can be specifically tied to their behavior , i'e' continuous barking, aggression,
attack, and in this category, licenses help trace owners. This is totally impractical, and
unreliable to require licenses for cats. Wearing a collar and tag presents a choking danger for
outdoor cats, so this is not an "equality of the species" kind of issue. Thereby I strongly urge
you NOT to consider licenses for cats. This will be impossible to enforce. The best
identification for a cat is a microchip, but that should be voluntary with the pet owner, not a
coerced decision with financial penalties for choosing not to microchip.
~ fom Shockley
"'fhe Voice of Dive Makai"
Dive Mtilcai Chartars
Diving wi(h difference - We Care
P.O. Box 2955, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
I :(808) 329-2025 F: (808) 325-1908
dmakai(c~divemakai.com
www.divcmak~u.com
1 /23/2006