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Animal quarantine
rules may be eased

At issue are hearing dogs to serve
the deaf and also assistance dogs to
serve people in wheelchairs

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Francine Wai, executive director of the state Disability and Communication Access Board, says she supports rule changes to reduce quarantine requirements for hearing dogs to serve deaf people and also assistance dogs to serve people in wheelchairs.

A hearing dog alerts deaf people to sound, she explained.

Animal quarantine rule changes will be aired in statewide public hearings April 20-28.

Attorney Michael Lilly, who has filed suits on behalf of individuals who need guide dogs or service dogs, said his most recent suit is on behalf of hearing dogs.

"Even though the state of Hawaii after six years of litigation finally agreed to grant an exemption from quarantine for guide dogs for the blind, it still refuses to grant any exemption for hearing dogs for the deaf," Lilly said.

At present, hearing dogs cannot be brought into Hawaii without going through quarantine, he said.

Proposed rules cover dogs, cats and other meat-eating animals. The state lists the spectrum of topics:

Allowing pets on cruise ships while maintaining integrity of the rabies quarantine program.

Allowing pet owners to purchase microchips, as part of the pre-shipment requirements, from sources other than the state.

Modifying conditions for removal of pets from quarantine and delegating authority to the chairman of the state Board of Agriculture to grant special performance permits for performing animals.

Deleting the requirement of a 30-day post-quarantine observation period.

Modifying conditions and fees for newborn dogs and cats.

Establishing maximum time periods for review of permit applications.

Modifying conditions of the guide dog program to include service dogs.

HEARINGS SCHEDULED The state Department of Agriculture encourages the public to submit written testimony or to attend one of the hearings: Kauai, 1 p.m. April 20, Department of Agriculture Conference Room, 4398-A Pua Loke St., Lihue. Call 274-3069. Hilo, 7 p.m. April 24, State Office Building, Conference Room, 75 Aupuni St. Call 974-6500. Kona, 7 p.m. April 25, Kona Adult Day Center, 81-989 Halekii St., Kealakekua. Call 974-6500. Maui, 7 p.m. April 26, Department of Agriculture, Conference Room, 635 Mua St., Kahului. Call 873-3555. Oahu, 7 p.m. April 28, Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch Conference Room, 701 Ilalo St., Honolulu. Call 483-7100. The department will accept written testimony until May 5. Testimony may be mailed to Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 22159, Honolulu 96823-2159.

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Animal Quarantine Page