Kokua Line June Watanabe

Many options for disposing of dead pets

Answer: Many people do have their pets cremated through their veterinarians, but the simplest, legal way, albeit not one many animal lovers might care to opt for, is to put the body out for pickup by a city refuse crew.

Dead pets also may be taken to the Hawaiian Humane Society, where they will be disposed of for "a small fee."

If there is a health concern -- i.e., the animal could be considered infectious waste -- then it would need to be disposed of following state Department of Health guidelines, said Arlene Buchholz, veterinary medical officer with the department. That would preferably entail cremation at a pet crematory, she said.

We asked state and city officials if a pet could simply be buried in the owner's back yard.

There was no definitive answer, but apparently no state or county law specifically prohibits such a burial.

Instead, Section 9-1.8 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu requires owners to remove dead animals "within a reasonable time after death or before the same shall constitute a nuisance."

Animals weighing up to 70 pounds will be collected and disposed of by the city's refuse division, if they are placed in an open area accessible to the collector, or they can be taken to the city incinerator.

You should place the carcass of your pet in a plastic bag or cardboard box, then leave it curbside, advised Ken Kawahara, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.

But you are asked to inform the appropriate district office first, he said, because you don't want the carcass sitting out in the open for any length of time.

The city's dead-animal pickup district offices: 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.

Meanwhile, the ordinance goes on to say that dead animals weighing more than 70 pounds should be taken to "disposal areas other than the municipal incinerators during operating hours."

The only disposal area is Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, at 92-460 Farrington Highway, Kawahara said. He said to call 668-2985 first.

If a farm animal, such as a horse or pig, is involved, the owner needs to fill out paperwork required by the federal government, Kawahara said. Landfill officials will provide the paperwork.

Q: I read the Star-Bulletin editorial about illegal vacation rentals (starbulletin.com/2007/04/24/editorial/editorial01.html). Where do you report suspected short-term renters?

A: Report suspected illegal rentals on Oahu to the city Department of Planning and Permitting. Call 768-8110. The Residential Code Enforcement Branch will do an inspection.