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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0190.004 1998-2000 ' West Hawaii ~lumane Society P.O. Box 2695 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 • (808) 329-2051 • Fax: 329-6721 4 April 6, 1999 RECEIVED "'1 ' 'fPrn~---°---- - ey° To -Finance Committee / Vie----.i..-..:.-: From-Ginger Towle County Council.-. - Thank you for responding to the concerns of the community. Last spring many allegations were made concerning the lack of animal control. You have reports that still substantiate these facts. The situation is no[ better but worse. You can have administrators and employees who truly care, however, if there is no one wi[It experience to manage an animal control contract that has actual, in the field, animal control experience, it's difficult if not impossible for the job [o be done right. There seems to be a lack of understanding regarding this contract. This is an ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT. It doesn't mean that a citation is given every single time an officer goes on a call, but 2 citations in 3 months in West Hawaii, a total of 9 citations island wide means the job is no[ getting done. 186 dogs redeemed and only 9 citations issued. There should be a citation for each dog impounded for straying, and another citation for no license, if applicable. This money goes to the State. Our laws stipulate increased fines for repeat offenders. Records are incomplete. Jane Buffington, of Hilo, found a dog and fumed it in recently and was asked if the dog was hers, she said no and the girl marched away with the dog. Jane called after her [o tell her where she found the dog. She was no[ asked fo sign anything. I recently purchased new tires at Firestone in Hilo and the salesman told me about his wife and daughter being attacked and injured by the neighbor's dogs-- and [hey were still running. The case was reported. In Kona a young man hit and killed a German Shepard that ran into the street unexpectedly; the boy was devastated about hitting the dog, and there was damage to the front of his car. When he told the dog owner about the damage the owner told him he wasn't responsible for his dog. Madelyn Barren was called and she told the young man to report it to H.LH.S. He did and they would not even take a report because they said it was after the fact. Kona Police get numerous animal related calls which take time away from their duties. The Kona Police report shows a total of 44 Complaint calls from January through March. Only one of tltese was for barking dogs. There were also 6 Criminal Investigations, 2 for barking dogs. (See handout) Chapter 4 does say [o call the police for barking dogs, however, the Contract mentions handling noisy dogs. There is no law stopping an animal control officer from handling a barking dog call. West I-lawaii Humane Society had a close working agreement with [he Police Department. They would tum the animal related calls directly over [o us. If there were a serious incident, then the Police would also go, but we would have the complete record from [he beginning for follow up and disposition. Without [his relationship, you will not be able to keep accurate records. Currently the Humane Society refused to respond to [he Parks Department and get a pit bull removed from White Sands Beach. Captain Fergers[rom had [o call and tell them to go out. I've mentioned before [he incident where [he Police were told by [he Humane Society Kona office [o call the Department of Land and Natural Resources when they asked them [o help a lady that had rabbits in her yard. Vicious Dog designations by Police Officers were dismissed when the officer did not appear at the hearing. The rules for hearings are quite clear and [he Humane Society is supposed to be well informed on the case in the event [he officer suddenly isn't able [o attend. There is also a stipulation [hat permits continuance for another time. You can call Captain Fergerstrom and Captain Shiroma a[ the Kona Police Station for verification and clarilica[ion. I brought up the fact that Hawaii Island has never and still does not use, even though I made an issue of it last spring, H.R.S 143-8. This is on the adoption forms, and a fine of $50.00 is authorized under State law Comm. Na ~ ~ O. O O~ PSIe No. AN_1._. Ref. To: PreseMe'a SPEC Fe c}_fo-99 Ref. Date ---tr~w to fine people who adopt dogs from the shelter when they do not comply. I furnished the letter from Fred Giannini verifying [his law. Madelyn Barrea wanted to use this law and informed Pat Gorman, Shawn Nakoa and Lisa Fowler; but they were not interested. Wes[ Hawaii Humane Society has trained people to be immediately put to work. We have a veterinarian to fill in until we hire our permanent veterinarian. Our proposal stated we would turn back to the County all but $10.00 of each adoption fee [o help cover [he cos[ of the doctor. We could [hen legally order sodium pentobarbital, tranquilizers and other drugs. Madelyn Barrea has no[ only [he actual on-the-job experience but also the National Animal Control training so [hat she can train the staff. The Humane Society is not a little island where they go about interpreting the law and enforcement by their standards. The CONTRACT AND THE STATE AND COUNTY LAWS SPELL IT ALL OUT. If unsure call the Police Department or some one from Jay Kimura's office. Judge Ron Ibarra and Dale Ross, as well as Fred Giannini, and many Police Officers were our advisors. Fundraising parties, newsletters and related activities are an important part of any humane society but they are the responsibility of the humane society, The Executive Director is responsible for the Animal Control Contract.