HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0022.094 2004-2006 HILO OBEDIENCE TRAINING CLUB, INC.
PO Box 83
Hilo, HI 96720
February 14, 2006
Council Chair Stacy Higa
and Council Members
County Council
County of Hawai i
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Council Chair Higa and Members of the County Council,
I am writing regarding Bill 4, Draft 6. I am currently President of the Hilo
Obedience Training Club, only one of two obedience clubs on the Island of
Hawaii licensed by the American Kennel Club to hold licensed obedience trials.
Our Club conducts nine dog obedience classes each week with over 300 dogs
attending our classes throughout the year. All of our instructors volunteer
their time to help the dogs and owners in Hilo, Puna, and surrounding areas,
giving up over half of their Saturday to help others.
As part of our training class, we teach citizens how to train their dogs,
benefiting both the community and the animals. Dogs are usually trained
while wearing a 6-foot leash, however, the dogs in the advanced classes train
on longer leashes (light lights) to assist in their training. The dogs need to use
longer leashes when learning advanced exercises (the recall, off-leash heeling,
long sit and down, etc.)
In addition to training owners to train their dogs, we teach citizens how to be
responsible dog owners. We require that each owner have a current County of
Hawaii dog license, and current vaccination record. It seems ironic that while
we are requiring owners to be responsible, the County Council has come up
with Bill 4, Draft 6.
As part of our American Kennel Club licensing, we conduct two licensed
obedience trials each year. We have approximately 30-40 entrants at each
trial, with about a fourth of them flying into Hilo from Honolulu to support our
Club. They stay at local B&Bs, shop at local stores, and eat at our local
restaurants, supporting our economy. We bring in a judge from the mainland
and pay for expenses, further supporting the economy. We cater a lunch for
the judge and exhibitors, again supporting the economy. However, exercises
during the obedience trial include off leash heeling, off leash recalls, off leash
sits and downs, etc.
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Ref. To: Pr~e~/
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Page Two
February 14, 2006
Passing of this bill in its present form would cause the cessation of our licensed
obedience trials which we currently hold at the Edith Kanakaole Tennis
Stadium. We would need to find another location to train our dogs (we
currently train at the St. Joseph's School Field). There would probably be less
dogs attending training classes because of the fact there would be no
competitions on the Island.
I would be happy to assist in revising and/or drafting another bill which would
still enable to Hilo Obedience Training Club to complete its mission and help
the County's dog owners who want to learn to train their dogs.
I urge the County Council members to NOT pass this bill in its current form.
The people who are trying to be responsible dog owners and train their dogs are
the ones who will be penalized.
Sincerely,
MARY E. CLAROSE, President
Hilo Obedience Training Club