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Dogs need to be
leashed on the beach

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Question: I witnessed an incident on Lanikai Beach recently while fishing. A lady was walking her dog off leash down the beach and the dog aggressively went after a child in the water who was fishing. Another fisherman and I prevented the dog from biting the child. I later talked to an elderly gentleman and he said that the week before, this same dog, off leash, bit his hand as he was walking down the beach. He confronted the lady and the lady told him that she had the right to walk her dog off leash. Is there a leash law on Lanikai Beach or any beach, for that matter, and if an incident like this happens again, whom should I call -- the police, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, or the Humane Society?

Answer: The city doesn't allow dogs on any of its beaches, but its jurisdiction ends at the high-water mark; below that, the beach falls under state law, which says dogs are allowed, but they should be on leashes.

The city's position is that police can't spend a lot of time monitoring dogs on beaches and is counting on their owners to do the right thing.

However, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is taking charge of enforcing the leash law.

"We have issued citations," said Gary Moniz, chief of the division. "If our officers spot (violators), we try to take action."

Dog owners face a $50 fine.

"The predominant problematic area appears to be from the high-water mark to lower-water mark, which is from the water's edge to the high water mark, because that's where people try to run their dogs," he said. "They want them to swim in the water."

If you see the woman and her dog again, or any other dog running loose on the beach, call DLNR's hotline, 587-0077.

Moniz said you should provide as much information as possible, specifically type and size of dog, description of the owner, and the date, time and location.

Most of the complaints involve the Kailua, Lanikai and Kahala beaches, he said.

"There are people who want their dogs to just run loose on the beach, despite (DLNR officers) trying to describe to them the fear parents have (for their children) seeing dogs running up to them," Moniz said.

"We're asking for people to exercise some common sense. Not all dogs are safe and people have been injured by dogs running loose on the beach. So, for the sake of the community and people's attempt to enjoy the beach, keep your dog leashed and keep him close to you."

It's not just rambunctious or uncontrolled dogs causing problems, he said, but also owners who don't pick up after their dogs.

Bottom line for dog owners: "Be more considerate of other beach-goers," Moniz said.

Auwe

I am deeply saddened at the daily abuse of the elderly and handicapped seating on city buses. I ride the bus every day and it is sad to see the total disregard by many who sit in those seats and let elderly or handicapped riders stand. Stop looking around at the ceiling and out the window and get off your butt and give up your seat! Shame, shame, shame. -- Norman Sullivan

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