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Senate committee advances bill to increase penalties for dog attacks on agricultural land
Summary
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment voted to pass SP301 SD1, a bill that increases penalties for dog owners whose animals destroy property while on land zoned for agricultural use, after testimony from ranchers and farm groups about livestock attacks and property damage.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment voted to pass SP301 SD1, a measure that would increase penalties for dog owners whose animals destroy property on land zoned for agricultural use.
The bill moved forward after several ranchers, farmers and residents described repeated livestock attacks and property damage that they said stem from loose or trained hunting dogs. Supporters asked lawmakers to hold owners accountable and consider stronger penalties, including fines and possible prosecution.
Nicole Galata, representing the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, told senators the council “stands on our testimony in support of this” and said ranchers have been dealing with dogs attacking livestock and trespassing on their property.
Kalei Salcedo, who identified herself as a resident and said she suffered personal injury in a dog attack on her property, urged stricter penalties for owners. She testified, “HPD gave the dog owners back the dogs, knowing it attacked it a human ... These are trained dogs, so we need we really need the dog owners to be responsible.”
Austin Salcedo said hunting dogs have killed goats on his property and that owners and trainers should be held accountable. He recommended insurance requirements for hunters who use dogs and said, “If they're gonna use it for hunting, they should have a, insurance policy that covers them a million dollars.”
Pikachu Shelby, testifying for Kowai Pai Aina, described repeated attacks on domestic animals and urged amendments that would eliminate ongoing threats to children and property. Brian Miyamoto, speaking for the Hawaii Farm Bureau, said the bill “is just strengthening current law” and that the measure offers compensation and penalties for owners whose animals harm agriculture.
Committee discussion noted the chair's recommendation to pass the measure as is. The committee recorded a voice vote in favor; the chair announced the motion adopted with four votes in favor.
The testimony record included claims about police and humane-society responses to attacking dogs, requests for stronger owner penalties, and requests that juvenile handlers' guardians be held accountable. The committee did not amend the bill in the hearing.
The committee's action sends SP301 SD1 to the next step in the legislative process with a committee recommendation to pass.
