HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0100.000 1998-2000 0
" +" �' West Hawaii Humane Society
1rin` P.O. Box 2885 • Kallua•Kone, Hawaii 98745 • (808) 320.2051 fax: 329.8721
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DATE. 12121/48 cam,
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'ID: All Council Members
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FROM: Madelyn R. Barrel
Executive Director, West Hawaii Humane Society
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the meeting of the Finance Committee on Wednesday,
December 23, 1998 However, I would like to go on record as being in favor of the amendments
to the laws pertaining to animals as previously submitted by Ginger Towle,
These amendments will clarify the meaning of the related laws in such a way that it will be much
easier for the public to understand and for the Animal Control Officers to enforce.
In respect to the law on ° Vicious Dogs', I believe it ig necessary to impound the dog in question or
to allow the owner to board the dog at their expense, in order to give the owner time to obtain or build
a secure eneiostre for the animal In the past, when the dog remained with the owner before the enclosure
was available, many times the dog was allowed to tun loose and attack and kill other animals and put
people in danger. Also, the word "animal" should include ALL animals, As it stands now, it excludes
another dog or cat This is not fair. Without amending the meaning of the word "animal ", a dog could
be deemed vicious for killing a neighbor's chicken but not for killing a neighbor's poodle
In clarifying the law about a dog running loose off of the owns property, it would be best that it mention
that the dog must be on a "leash ". This way there is no question whether the dog is "in the owner's
control" or not. I can understand how people who have never been an Animal Control Officer might think
that this is not a problem, but having been an Officer myself, I can assure you, that many people do sue
this point by insisting that the dog was "under their control' even though it was not on a leash I Z o
And finally, in regards to the "Barking Dog Law". I believe that the Humane Societ should enfc -cc this O �
law during their working hours As it stands now, these calls are handfed by the Police, It is public _. 8
knowledge that our Police force is understaffed and overworked, They should not have to deal with 4
animal related problems during the day. This is "Animal Control" which is what the county contact with at
the Humane Society is for, During the evening hours, when the Humane Society is closed, and the Police z
have Officers on regular duty, it would be reasonable for them to handle these calls at that time, saving the g z g
county money in overtime if the Humane Society were to go our after hours for backing doge. r a
Thank you for yot' consideration on the above amendments and HAPPY HOLIDAYS J 11
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