HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0707.023 1996-1998 To: All Council Members Date: ~'s/98
} From: Lorie Combs Subject: Animal Control Contract
Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Council Members. My name is Lorie Combs and I am
a former employee of Hawaii Island Humane Society. I am very concerned that the
Animal Control Contract and the laws of the County of Hawaii pertaining to animal
control, are not being enforced properly. I was employed by HIHS from 1992-1997,
during which time I was a Humane Officer, Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at their
Keaau shelter. Currently I am employed as a Veterinary Technician by Dr. Sterrett
Gruen, and to my knowledge the staff of the Keaau shelter was never supervised by any
veterinarian.
During my employment at the Keaau shelter, I have seen inhumane treatment of animals
and harassment of coworkers was a daily routine.
My main concern is that the Humane Society be responsible for HUMANE animal
treatment and control. HIHS is not enforcing all of the animal related regulations and I
have seen trucks come back to the shelter with trapped strays that have already been
euthanized. These animals were not injured or signed over by owners, and according to
the law, all strays must be held for a minimum of 48 hours. I have also seen animals
euthanized as soon as they came into the slfelter, before anyone checked the lost reports.
I feel that if the island were divided, and the Animal Control Contract for the west side of
the island was awarded back to West Hawaii Humane Society, that there would be better
control, and 1 sincerely hope that whoever is in charge of overseeing this contract, makes
sure that Hawaii Island I-lumane Society starts doing the job right on the east side of the
island.
If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them.
Thank you, RectivrD
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County Council P-L"`
Lorie Combs ,
Comm. No. ~ D~ 23.--..
File No.
Presented ~C
Ref. To:
JUL 2 : 1998