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Dog laws put Dog owners have more incentive to rein in their animals under three bills approved by the Honolulu City Council.
the bite on
careless owners
Noise offenses and
New project plans scrutinized
unrestrained dogs bring
fines, but a 'dangerous dog'
may mean jail plus a fine
Limos restricted, Duke Kahanamoku honoredBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-BulletinA "dangerous dog bill" calls for owners of dogs deemed "dangerous" to face penalties of up to $2,000 and 30 days in jail.
Officials of the Hawaiian Humane Society, among those supporting the measure, testified before the Council yesterday that the measure is necessary because existing state laws allow just a $20 fine.
A dangerous dog, by definition, is "any dog which, without provocation, attacks a person or domestic animal, causing bodily injury to the person, or serious injury or death to a domestic animal."
"The issue here is not so much dangerous dogs, but dangerous owners that don't care for their dogs properly," said Windward resident Jim Wood.
Wood and his wife, Shannon, have been on a crusade to enact stiffer dog laws since their cat was killed after it was attacked by two pit bulls that came onto their property.
City attorneys have raised questions about whether the ordinance could be pre-empted by state statutes.
Councilman Steve Holmes, the sole dissenter in an 8-1 vote, cited the pre-emption issue as the reason for his "no" vote.
The other two laws approved yesterday cast stiffer penalties on those who violate animal-noise provisions and the stray-dog ordinance.
The fines for noise offenses, which apply to all animals, were upped to $50 from $25 for the first offense, and to as much as $1,000 from $100 for a third offense within two years.
Council members John DeSoto and Romy Cachola were opposed, stating they fear the bill's vague language might result in subjective enforcement.
Under the stray-dog ordinance, owners of dogs not under control by leash, cord, chain or other means of physical restraint will still have to pay $50 for a first offense within two years.
The cost of a second offense during that period will be upped to $100 from $50.
Subsequent offenses within two years will be between $500 and $1,000.
In other business yesterday, the Honolulu City Council approved the following measures: Limo parking restrictions
on public roads passes Council
Limousines or other vehicles 20 feet or longer will no longer be able to park for more than four hours on public streets.
Councilman Duke Bainum, who introduced the measure, said complaints have come into Honolulu Hale from Salt Lake, Waikiki and Kapahulu about limousines taking over available parking spaces in those neighborhoods.
The facility, on Kuhio Beach near a statue of Kahanamoku, is to include a display highlighting his accomplishments.
Under the measure, those convicted of prostitution-related offenses could be under "geographic restrictions" barring them from the zones.
A similar zone is already in effect for Waikiki through state law.
Gordon Y.K. Pang, Star-Bulletin
City & County of Honolulu
