Hawaii House Bill HR128

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Passed: 3/29/22

Caption

Urging The Counties To More Effectively And Meaningfully Coordinate Their Police Enforcement And Public Awareness Efforts With The State And With Humane Societies And Other Animal Welfare Organizations Concerning The Dangers Posed By Unleashed Dogs To Humans And To Other Animals In Public Areas.

Impact

The resolution calls for each county to take proactive measures to enforce animal control policies, including improving the clarity of roles among different enforcement bodies such as police departments and humane societies. It suggests that there is currently some confusion regarding how authorities should respond to dog bite incidents, which could hinder public safety and result in victims being misdirected when seeking assistance. The bill particularly pushes for coordinated efforts in state parks, where accessing such authority can become complicated during enforcement of existing ordinances, given the varied responsibilities of different agencies.

Summary

House Resolution 128 urges Hawaiian counties to enhance the coordination of police enforcement and public awareness efforts regarding unleashed dogs that pose risks to humans and other animals. Through this resolution, the legislature seeks to address the incidents of dog attacks, which have been a growing concern as dog bites rank high among emergency room visits. The bill highlights the potential dangers unleashed dogs present not just to people but also to other pets, emphasizing the necessity for counties to enforce existing leash laws more effectively.

Contention

Despite the bill’s intentions, there is potential contention regarding the balance between public safety and penalties against pet owners. The resolution points out that severe injuries caused by dog attacks can lead to felony charges if committed by a person; however, similar actions by dogs result only in misdemeanors for the owners. This discrepancy raises questions about the adequacy of legal measures in addressing harmful behaviors by pets. Additionally, overregulation or overly stringent enforcement could ignite concerns from pet owners about infringement on their rights to manage their animals in public spaces.