HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1020.004 1996-1998
RUSH!!! THIS MAY COME UP ON THE NOV. 5, 1998 FINANCE COMMITTEE
'LEASE SEND A LETTER IN SU- -RT OF THIS ORDINANCE
0 THE COUNTY COUNCIL, 25 ZUNI STREET, HILO, HI.
96720
West Hawaii Humane Society
P.O. Box 2695 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 - (806) 329-2051 - Fax' 329-6721
49a , 498ra
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To - Aaron Chung, Chairman, Finance Committee and all members of the County Council.
Joe Reynolds James Arakaki Dominic Yagong Curtis Tyler.
Bobbie Leithead-Todd John Ray AI Smith John Santangelo Date__ -'_-._L
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From - Ginger Tqwle, President, West Hawaii Humane Society
Subject - A 131LL FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY
CODE 1983 (1985 Edition) RELATING TO ANIMALS
The principal reasons for amending Chapter 4 is because of community complaints and the need to protect
all animals. People are tired of the loopholes. A dog can be declared vicious and the same day, or shortly
thereafter, goes out and kills another animal or bites someone. There has also been a loophole regarding
designating a dog vicious. Currently if a dog jumps your 6 toot fence into your backyard and tears your
poodle apart, it cannot be deemed vicious. I lowever, if it kills your canary or rabbit it can be deemed
vicious. "file circumstances, not the type of animal attacked should be the criteria for viciousness.
A current fine of $10.00 for poisoning a dog is ludicrous. Plus, (here is no fine listed for poisoning any
other animal. All animals need protection and this should fall under the Cruelty to Animals section.
The humane societies officers title is changed back to Animal Control Officers. The contract is for animal
control
While there is a law slating a dog must be on a leash when in an airport there is no mention of a Icash al
other times and people tend to walk their dogs off the leash in neighborhoods. It still is illegal tar the dug
w be on others property witliout permission or running loose in the street. I lowever, this continually
happens, the loose dog rums all over peoples yards, racing through their gardens, defecating on their lawns,
chasing their cats, harassing bicyclists and dogs tied out on lines. People feel that if they are Out with the
dug, it's under control, it isn't. Even if one dog is beautifully trained to walk beside his master lire next
louse dog they meet may not have similar training and a dog fight results. By adding a requirement fur a
(cash when off their property, except in specific cases, it makes for a safer neighborhood plus easier
enforcement with no arguing about the dog being under control, trained etc.
The requirement to spay or neuter the dogs and cats adopted from the shelter is extremely imporlmn
Currently [here is I-IRS 143-8 (143-19) that covers fining dog owners $50.00 for not complying with their
contract, nothing covering cats.
By upgrading and clarifying the laws, and by specifically including the humane society as au agency who
entorces the law, with specific responsibilities, the community and the animals are better protected and the
animal control officers job made easier.
Our communities are growing and we need to respond to their concerns. Needless to say, education is a
primary and constant onguing effort. The community must be educated as to their responsibilities,
however, sometimes talking to some people about the laws just doesn't do it and citations are necessary.
I feel the changes are long overdue and extremely important. Please support this ordinance.
Thank you. /
Canarw. N®.e r
File No. Mee- dN
$et. Presen F~C_
0 14 lyyG
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