HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.009 2004-2006
Oct Page 1 of 2
Murashige, Laura
From: Ginger Towle [towle@kona.net]
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 11:47 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
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Subject:Oct.doc258.doc 8e) ~
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Oct. 29, 2006''
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To - County Clerk for distribution to all County Council Members,
Bill - 258 - Animal Control
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From - Ginger Towle, President
West Hawaii Humane Society
Box 2695
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 phone 329-2051
Sections of this legislation are acceptable, however, I feel the following changes are critical for the most efficient
enforcement and animal protection.
Section 4-18 - Impoundment of unlicensed dogs. This legislation must be written completely spelled out. not
referred to some section of H.R.S.
Under Section 4-12 and 4-17 Penalties. This needs to be simplified. Anytime the dog is off his property it should
be cited. Forget the "if the offense didn't occur within 2 years of past offense ECT." This is impossible to keep
track of unless you want to add to the budget for additional staff to compile these records and have them readily
available. Apply the same standards as the traffic violation.
Under the Cat Section it should be noted that any cat impounded, with a clipped ear, from a feral cat colony shall
be returned without any impound fees, requirements or fines being levied. The various groups operating these
colonies are doing the County a service and unless there are mitigating circumstances the cat should be returned
without penalties.
Throughout various sections it refers to farm animals, including horses, cattle etc. There needs to be specific
language that states anyone shooting any of these animals will be fined at least $500.00. It has been absolutely
ridiculous that horses were shot in Waipo Valley and there were absolutely no citations etc. issued by any
agency. It doesn't say much for the people of this County and the State to permit such a tragedy especially
when the man responsible admits his guilt and just walks away!! This must never happen again. The community
is furious!!
Horses are not a game species!!
Under Section 4-49 Agreement between County and animal control contractor required. An agreement
containing, but not limited to the extent of services rendered or to be rendered by the animal control
contractor.... While this seems to say that the contractor will be responsible for other things besides what the
contract calls for this responsibility and requirement should be made very clear that the animal control contractor
has total authority and the responsibility to issue citations and prosecute any all cases of cruelty against any
animal. This needs to be spelled out so that there is no question as to who is supposed to do the job and it's not
just cats and dogs!!
Their needs to be a provision for a County sponsored spay neuter program. I pay taxes on all the services in the
county and state; even though I have never and do not use most these facilities and services. However, they are
all necessary for a well-run system. Let's start organizing a really low cost spay/neuter program for all dogs Comm and
Ref. To•j
10/30/2006 Ref. Doter 31 in
Oct Page 2 of 2
cats. Stop fussing about the fact that not everyone has a dog or a cat. The majority of our community has both
or one or the other. I don't play golf or go to band concerts and a number of other county sponsored
programs!! But they are important to the community. If Honolulu can do this why can't we?
We also need to have the housing or kenneling requirements spelled out, as they do in Honolulu, they have been
doing this a lot longer. They understand the necessity to make things clear and simple to understand. Believe me
animal welfare people are much more interested in proper housing requirements than the planning department.
This should be one stop shopping and one should not have to check all over the place to see what the
requirements are in all areas of animal welfare. At least to the best of our ability to do so....!!!!
10/30/2006