STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3598

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 189

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 189 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION 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,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge 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.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that dog bites are among the top reasons for emergency room visits, ranking higher than injuries occurring on motorcycles, to pedestrians, and from gunshots. Furthermore, dog bites potentially pose a serious danger not only to humans but also to other pet animals. An attack by an unleashed dog on a leashed dog can easily result in serious injury or death to the leashed animal, as well as potentially serious injury and emotional distress to any person attempting to prevent or disengage the attacking animal from causing harm. This measure will increase public confidence in enforcement of existing animal control laws and make public areas safer by 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 other animals in public areas.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 189 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair