Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Late Saturday night, April 25, I ran over a dark-colored dog, which suddenly appeared in front of my car. I wasn't speeding. The thought and the feeling just sickens me to my stomach. I'm sure it was someone's pet, and I hope the family can forgive me. In my state of mind, I just could not go back to remove the dog. Instead, I called the Humane Society and the dead animal pickup department, but the recording stated that no one would get the call until Monday. What is the proper thing to do when running into a cat or dog? Maybe your answer will save someone some grief in the future. Some steps to take after
running over an animalYou should first check to see if the animal is alive or dead.
"Be careful when doing so," cautions veterinarian Sabina Wenner. If the animal is alive, it will be in a lot of pain and may bite.
If the animal is alive, call, if possible, your veterinarian, the nearest veterinarian or the Humane Society for guidance.
If the animal is dead, you now have the option of taking it to one of 21 veterinary clinics, under a volunteer program put together earlier this year by Wenner to deal more humanely with such victims. Taking it to a clinic also may lead to the animal's owners.
The clinics will hold the animal until it can be picked up by the city's dead animal pickup service. Previously, the only options were to wait for city pickup or to take the animal to the Hawaiian Humane Society.
The city's dead animal pickup district offices are: Aiea/Pearl City/Ewa, 455-1725; Haleiwa/Waialua, 637-4795; Honolulu, 523-4424; Kailua-Waimanalo, 262-4346; Kaneohe, 247-3553; Laie, 293-5657; Wahiawa/Mililani, 621-5241; and Waianae, 696-3421. Each office also can refer you to the closest participating veterinary clinic.
The offices are staffed only during work hours, Monday-Saturday, from about 6 a.m. to early afternoon, said John Lee, assistant chief of the city refuse division.
If you call after hours, the pickup will occur the next day; if you call Saturday, pickup is on Monday, he said. You are asked to at least place the animal in a plastic bag or cardboard box and to leave a message, giving a specific address, curb side or elsewhere.
After hours, you can take the animal to the Humane Society, which is usually staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If the animal dies or is dead, nonparticipating clinics may charge a disposal fee of about $30, Wenner said.
The clinics participating in the dead animal pickup program are:
HONOLULU: Aina Haina Pet Hospital, 373-2111; Aloha Animal Hospital, 734-2242; Animal Clinic, 734-0255; Animal Hospital of Hawaii, 732-7387; Blue Cross Animal Hospital, 591-2532; Kalihi Pet Clinic, 841-6313; Kapalama Pet Hospital, 841-2861; Pet Doctor, 733-8828; University Pet Clinic, 988-2111.
KAILUA-WAIMANALO: Companion Animal Hospital, 262-8141; Feather and Fur Clinic, 254-1548.
KANEOHE: Haiku Veterinary Clinic, 236-6405; VCA Kaneohe Animal Hospital, 236-2414.
WAHIAWA-MILILANI: Animal Clinic Mililani, 623-2814; Gentry-Waipio Pet Clinic, 676-2205; Wahiawa Animal Hospital, 621-7000; Cat/Bird Vet Mobile Hospital, 623-5466.
WAIANAE: Waianae Veterinary, 696-4161.
To Sandy and Starr Holley for assisting stranded folks, locked-out kupuna, the elderly struggling with luggage or others in need. Aloha is alive where they work. -- Emanuel Russo Mahalo
Now that they've done something about American Family Publishers, I wish they'd do something about Publishers Clearinghouse. And I can't believe there's going to be a second football game on Christmas Day. -- No name Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
