HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0017.002 2006-2008 Jtl?~.~F!!Vir:
G~.' •
Dixie Kaetsu
Harry Klm ~ Managing Director
Mayor
, Barbara Kossow
~r>F~`F_w,Pd Deputy Managing Director
~DUUtp Df ~A~U~I`l
Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-821 l Fax (808) 961-6553
Location: 891 Ululani Stract • Hilo, Hawaii
December 20, 2006
.7
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairman C?,~ o
and Members of the County Council ~ ~ '
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Veto Message - Bi11258 Draft 6 c~
Relating to Animals ~ ~ "
Deaz Chairman Hoffmann and Council Members:
Pursuant to Section 3-12 of the Hawaii County Charter, I am vetoing Bi11258 Draft 6 and returning
it to you.
Before going into specifics on why I cannot approve this bill, I must acknowledge the numerous
parties including the Police Department, Prosecuting Attorney, Hawaii Island Humane Society, and
the County Council who have been working for years to try and address various concerns related to
animal control. This sort of cooperation is very much appreciated.
Bi11258 Draft 6 is being vetoed because the agencies that would be responsible for enforcing the
provisions of this law have indicated that as written, sections are unenforceable and may be
constitutionally vague, particulazly in relation to the definition of animal nuisance. In addition, the
bill mandates that all police officers, from the Chief on down to patrol officers, have the
responsibility of seizing any unlicensed dog found running at large, then selling or killing said
animal. The Police Department is strapped for personnel, and making this a mandatory function will
take away from more critical enforcement activities and exacerbate the current shortage of officers.
The bill also does not address the issue of the amount of fines for violations, which was one of the
issues that parties working on animal control were trying to address.
I do hope that the parties involved will continue to work together to craft a piece of legislation that
will address issues such as barking dogs and vicious dogs in a manner that will satisfy the needs of
tAAhe community and can be supported by the agencies who will be responsible for enforcing the law.
/I
arry Kim
MAYOR
Comm. No. I ~_Z
cc: Lawrence Mahuna, Police Chief Ref. To:
Jay Kimura, Prosecuting Attorney Ref. Uote
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.