Hawaii House Bill HCR128

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Engrossed: 3/29/22
• Refer: 3/30/22
• Report Pass: 4/26/22
• Passed: 4/28/22

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

If adopted, HCR128 would lead to a greater emphasis on enforcement of leash laws across various counties in Hawaii, including Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai. It encourages these counties to collaborate more effectively with humane societies and other animal welfare organizations to tackle the risks associated with unleashed dogs. This cooperation is intended to clarify the roles of various enforcement authorities, ensuring that individuals who experience dog attacks can seek recourse more effectively and understand the processes involved in handling these incidents.

Summary

HCR128, a concurrent resolution from the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii, urges the counties to improve their coordination in police enforcement and public awareness efforts related to unleashed dogs that pose dangers to both humans and other animals in public areas. The resolution reflects a growing concern over the frequency of dog bites, which are noted to be a leading cause of emergency room visits, surpassing incidents like motorcycle injuries and gunshot wounds. The bill aims to highlight the importance of proper animal control practices to enhance public safety.

Contention

There are several contentious points surrounding HCR128. Critics may raise concerns about the practicality of stringent enforcement of leash laws within public parks, given that many areas already prohibit dogs altogether, and yet dogs continue to be brought into these spaces. The resolution calls for public awareness campaigns to educate pet owners about the risks and responsibilities associated with dog ownership in public areas. Given the mixture of challenges in education, public compliance, and enforcement, the effectiveness of this resolution will depend on the communities' willingness to adopt these changes and properly inform the public.