HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.012 2016-2018 PJ5PcrAL EC
BELL II
COUNTY CLERK Colititm. °l I
Murashige, Laura MINTY fiF HAW I I
From: Mike & Barb <mhussey@hawaii.rr.com> 5
y Z01] APR 10 A la•: 5 7
Sent: Monday,April 10, 2017 9:24 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT
Aloha Nui County Council.Members,
I am writing today to give my testimony regarding the Hawaii Police Department as the overseer of the Animal
Control Contract. Realizing the police budget has been cut by 20%, I have serious concerns in its' time
constraints the department would have in carrying out this administrative duty. The annual amount this
island's Humane Society receives through our taxpayer money is about$2 million. Calculate that over the past
10 years it is about$20 million without any progress on animal population control. Over 100,000 animals have
been killed over the past 10 years. Killing is not the answer. Please know that additional funds for Spay and
Neuter should not be wasted by giving out the HIHS coupon program, which is ineffective. The coupon
program may pay for the spay/neuter but does not cover anesthesia,pain medication nor follow up for the
animal's care. Therefore, most people cannot use those coupons effectively at their local veterinarian's office
because they do not have the monies to pay for everything else that goes along with the HIHS spay/neutering
coupon. Those funds are better served distributing to animal welfare non-profits which are conducting monthly,
low-cost or no-cost, spay and neuter clinics all over the island. These clinics currently rely almost solely on the
minimal amount charged to cover the entire care of the animal and on donations.
I would respectfully ask that a review of the Hawaii Police Department Oversight of the Animal Control
Contract be carefully reviewed and a shifting of line items be afforded to decreasing the animal population with
Spay/Neutering programs and not by euthanizing animals by the thousands.
Transparency is so needed here. There is no easy website to review and surely you would agree,that the task of
oversight should be shifted to the Finance Committee of the Hawaii County Council.
With respect,
I remain,
Barbara J. Hussey
75-6112 Haku Mele St
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
District 7
(Member of Aloha Animal Advocates)
(Legislative advocate working annually with Nicole Lowen
and Josh Green regarding anti-tethering/chaining of dogs)
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Sam. ®. C
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Ref. To:
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