HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0798.042 2004-2006
John Carroll
POB 6825
Hilo HI 96720 2006 NOU 20 PM 1 23
November 15, 2006
Members of Council 00UIN T _ H, VVII
Hawaii County
Dear Members of Council,
Please vote immediately to enact the Animal Control Law into the County
Code. At present there really is no law to regulate unruly animals. I live in the
Hawaiian Parks subdivision off of Kahakai Blvd. These are 15,000 sq. ft. lots, so
neighbors conduct their lives at fairly close quarters. All contiguous residents feel
major disruptions of the peace.
I have a neighbor who keeps a very loud and aggressive pit bull on a chain,
24/7. He never walks the dog or takes it for an outing. Neighbor works a lot, and
recreates in Hilo, so is seldom home. When he is home, he encourages the dog to
bark, and bark the dog does, morning, noon and in the middle of the night. The dog
is tied 50 ft. from my bedroom window, and is rare that I have a complete night's
sleep, without being awakened from deep sleep at least once. Sometimes I cannot
get back to sleep, so I go through many days in a sleep-deprived, groggy state. I
worry about this especially while driving and operating equipment. The dog is
barking at trivial matters, cats, other dogs on walks in the street, kids, etc. There
are no intruders. Whether I am entertaining, trying to talk on the phone, relaxing
past Hana, at any moment my whole consciousness is disrupted by this very load
dog. Neighbor is belligerent about the matter, and he considers it his inalienable
right to keep a disruptive barking dog, regardless of the consequences to his
neighbor's lives. The dog disturbs other neighbors too, especially the lady on the
other side.
She and I have called the police and Humane Society several times. They
have told us each time they respond that their hands are tied. They say the law does
not permit them to do anything. Even if they stand there and listen to the dog go on
and on, they can do nothing unless the owner is at home. They do not respond at
night. They cannot enter the property without a search warrant. There is no
complaint process, no warning process, so penalties and no recourse. People who
are having their lives seriously impacted have no rights at all to peace and quiet.
The police have told me that if I play load music, this would be disorderly conduct,
but a dog on private property, no matter how loud, they cannot touch.
Please, I need my sleep, and I have the right to enjoy my property. Pass this
new ordinance immediately, without farther delays, and please see that it is
enforced. We are not disrupting others ...we are the victims. Please help.
Mahalo and Best Wishes, S A p.
~`j~~,J/ Comm. No. ~ ` 6 •
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