HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.006 1998-2000
August 23, 1999
Attention Aaron Chong and Finance Committee
Subject -Animal Control on this island.
Jan Biltoft, Box 399, Kealakekua, Hi. 96750 322-9798
Sorry for not being able to attend today. Please approve a full scale study of the current animal control on
the big island. No one seems to be listening. Everyone thinks the laws are a joke and no one is going to do
anything so they let their dogs run. This has caused tremendous neighborhood problems. Dogs are being
poisoned. Citations are seldom issued even when a dog is redeemed from the shelter. You can understand
why lots of people feel they can do as they please. Unfortunately it's the animals that suffer. If dogs are
killing sheep and geese, which is happening now in south Kona, you can understand why some rancher just
might get fed up and shoot them. People are getting restraining orders against their neighbors and hiring
attorneys to settle animal control problems that the humane society should be handling. Marty Mansker's
family is moving this week because they have had so much trouble with a neighbor, been to court, been to
mediation etc. etc. and the problem still goes on; the humane society has been no help, so they are' Q[tBjy~ a
moving. nms--By
County, Counul p-fG
Why is the shelter in Waimea now only open 4 hours a day, why does Kona shelter close at 3:30 p".ffl:
anzl
Hilo close at 6:30p.m.?
There is no monitoring of dogs that have been declared vicious to insure that they are kenneled properly.
H.I.H.S. is now charging for its services. $25.00 to put down an animal, you are even charged if you drop
off a dead animal, $5.00 for a cat and $12.50 for a dog. The economy is not good and many people that
might normally go to a vet to have their pet euthanized go to the shelter thinking it's free and it should be.
This service is already paid for by the contract.
West Hawaii Humane Society was always told by the authorities that you have to have a veterinarian on
staff to use sodium pentobarbital. I know if the veterinarian orders it for the shelter his license is on the
line in case of an accident. I really don't think faxing in the amount you plan to use to a veterinarian and
get a fax back to go ahead is much of a control. How would the Counb/ be effected in case of an accident?
Keith Kamita the State authority and John Paloma the Federal Narcotics authority might be able to clarify.
I know our veterinarian, Gary Ota, would not participate in such a practice.
I hope the financial reports are also checked and some in depth questions asked. I have a hard time
understanding charges for having meetings with the staff. And..........One more time, we ask who paid for
the station wagon for Shawn Nakoa for her personal use when she became executive director, the humane
society or the County? A simple question but no one gives us the answer!! Comm. No. 396 • 0
FSIe No. ~ ~
Ref. Tos pfa~sofed F C-
g~. Hate AUG 2 4 199Y;