HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.007 1998-2000 To -Aaron Chung and the Finance Committee
From -Charlie Biltoft, Box 399, Kealakekua, Hi. 96750 phone 322-9798
Subject -Resolution to request investigation into animal control on this island.
It's about time!! Residents are having to take care of animal control problems on their own and this doesn't
bode well for our animal friends. When residents are told to get a dog trap if they've had animals killed or
there is a dog that regularly harasses the neighborhood it's time for an Animal Control Offcer to go out and
investigate and take action. It's a good thing the police department doesn't operate in the same manner as
Hawaii Island Humane Society or we'd have to get a pair of handcuffs from the police station and call them
RECEIVEp r
when we've caught the culprit. flm0.._..~
Hawaii Island Humane Society obviously didn't get an explicit enough job description with their ccn~~"_h! ~t+n 1>! ~
Animal control means doing something about it and issuing a few citations and make a few believers in the
system. Now the humane part of humane society means you go out to help your fellow man when his
problem falls in your jurisdiction. Animals and their problems should be handled by the humane society, if
other agencies need to be called in because of the type of animal, do it, it's your job. Quit trying to duck
out and shove it off to the police department.
The County Council must have received the equivalent of 4 cases of paper by now in testimony from
unhappy residents. The answer always comes down to the fact that it's an administrative responsibility.
Now I'm an accountant and I know how some bean counters think and Harry Takahashi falls into the
category of I'm going to do whatever is easiest for me and that's having only one contract. He then plays
ostrich and totally ignores what's happening and obviously could care less how his actions have caused
serious problems for the whole island. After all we only pay the taxes. He gets the activity reports every 3
months, doesn't he check them at all, how about the fnance statements, they're really interesting. In the
April through June report it show $1,765.69 training costs!! Just what is this buying us, what kind of
training is this. We sure don't see any evidence in the non-animal control program. For that same 3
months their office expense was $2,956.98. I also notice they list spay/neuter program with nothing listed.
Now didn't the County issue funds for spay neuter certificates? How many were purchased, after all the
public pays from $30.00 to $55.00 for each certificate. It seems to me there should be a little reporting on
that account, amount used, balance etc. You notice those things if you're an accountant.
I picked up a dog from the shelter for a friend, the officer told me I had to buy a license for the dog.
I was charged $2.00 and went on my way with an intact male dog!!
The animal control contract should go back to the police department. It is law enforcement and the
humane society needs to work closely with the police. So please do a full-scale investigation of this animal
control program, it's long overdue. We shouldn't have to put up with this current nonsense. ~ . OO~
Comm. No. b
F51e No. REV
Ref. Tot Presented FG
Ref. Date AUG 2 4.1998