Councilmember Pine Says City Must Address Gap In Animal Rescue Services

November 17th, 2014

For Immediate Release Councilmember Pine Says City Must Address Gap In Animal Rescue Services Public Hearing Set for Thursday

Waianae – A trending story of a dog left tangled in his own wired leash for days has touched residents, who are outraged that the City hasn’t done anything to help the local pet. “The present situation is unacceptable,” said Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine. “This story is the latest of numerous calls about abandoned, loose, or cruelly-treated pets, that we’ve received. It pains me to know that this and other stories may have been prevented if the City were doing its job and providing the animal control service the public expects.” The City is required to develop a public complaint process with its animal control contractor in consultation with the Honolulu Police Department.

The process, to protect the public and its pets, has in years past, been attended-to by the Hawaii Humane Society – which contracted with the City for animal care and control. Animal-related law enforcement work historically encompassed 11,000 to 15,000 calls for help from the public. However, since August 2013, the City reduced the scope of that animal control contract, removing all law enforcement work from the Humane Society and not specifying who or what agency would pick up the slack. “In light of this gap in service, our communities deserve to know what City agency is responsible for enforcing the law and protecting our pets,” Councilmember Pine added. This Thursday, the Intergovernmental Affairs and Human Services Committee, Chaired by Pine, will hold a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. to receive an update from the City Administration and the Hawaiian Humane Society on animal control services.

Information for Thursday’s meeting and instructions on how to submit written testimony or register to speak can be found here:

http://www4.honolulu.gov/…/Documen…/112014IAHSAGENDA.pdf