HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.027 2004-2006
11/15/06
County of Hawaii
Hawaii County Council
Thank you to Council Members for the hours put into this issue:
Re: Bill No.258 Draft 2
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 4 of the Hawaii County Code 1983(2005 Edition, As Amended), Relating
to Animals.
The Following are my concerns:
Article 2. Animal Nuisances.
It is my opinion that domestic & farm animals raised on property designated as Agricultural, should not be
included in this section. It is my opinion that this more suitably applies to Residential, Residential
Commercial areas.
All complaints in agricultural areas should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
There are those who choose to live in agricultural areas to raise farm animals for food, it is usually not
limited to one type therefore noise of one kind or another is inevitable and more than likely occurs thought
the day. This is the life on a farm. Those of us who live this life choose to do so. Those who choose to live
in Quiet & solitude also choose this way of life. When we choose our lifestyle, we do so knowing that if we
live next door to a faun we will be hearing the barking, whining, mooing, clucking, crowing, mowing,
hammering and whatever else goes on daily on a farm.
Article 3. Dog license
1. There needs to be another section added.
a) Identification require& Same as 4-36 for cats brouglrt into Hawaii for slow or other activities
Article 5. Regulation of Dangerous Dogs.
Section 4-29
Provocation (8) The dog was responding to a command or encouragement to attack the person or animal.
• It is my opinion that this is not "Provocation", but "Deliberate" and belongs in Section 4-30. Under
Prohibited acts.
Article S.Regulation of Dangerous Dogs
Section 4-30. Prohibited acts-conditions on owner-penalties.
Section (e) item (9) The dog be Neutered or spayed at the owners expense unless medically contraindicated.
• It is my opinion that this should not be an option if the animal is not euthamized. Problems relating to ill
temperament may be hereditary and therefore the animal should not be kept intact for fear of this
propensity being perpetuated by breeding.
Article 5. Cat Identification Program.
• There needs to be included a section on Licensing. It should be kept the same and equal to Dogs
(Fee's & Numbers being licensed, Altered and Unaltered).
All cats should be micro chipped as well. This needs to be mandatory as with dogs, weather they are in
Quarantine or not in case of escape as this only adds to the Feral Population. Comm. No. Tit-17
Ref. ToPretes"
Ref. Date NOV 15 2006
Article 7. General Animal Welfare
Section 443 Cruelty to animals, including dogs and cats.
It is my opinion that this section needs re thinking. Fines should be based dependent on the severity of the
cruelty and be no less than $500.00. As written states, there shall be a penalty of not more than $500 for
each violation of this section.
Sometimes the cost to take these animals out of the situation only begins at nearly that amount and if these
animals are in veterinary care or otherwise the costs invariably outweigh the fines. Please check with your
Animal Contractors for verification of this. As it makes no sense to spend more and recover less. There is
also no consideration in this section for imprisonment and or community service as part of restitution as in
Section 412 Penalties for nuisances.
Article 8 Dog, Cat and Animal Pounds.
Section 4-44 Pound established for dogs, cats and small-domesticated animals.
• The Island of Hawaii does not have shelters in Ka'u and Kohala.
• These facilities are also required at times to take in Livestock. so there needs to be change in wording
of small domesticated.
Section 448 Expenses and appropriations for the pound.
• I do not know what $ amount is appropriated and on what basis, but it seems that Private funding is
what these facilities are ran on,basicly.
I believe that the county needs to look at their appropriation of funds and make changes to meet the
growing needs of the Communities Island wide.
Also, Public Funds need to be allocated to your contactor for upgrading & repairing some of these
facilities, i.e. Keaau and Waimea.
Thank you for hearing my Concerns,
Frances M. Moniz, Hilo,Hawaii