The Hawaii Senate is considering a bill that would prohibit the humane tethering of dogs if dog under the age of six months and without supervision by its owner or an agent of its owner. The bill, Senate Bill 677, would also prohibit tethering a dog restrained by means of a choke collar, pinch collar, or prong collar without supervision by its owner or an agent of its owner.
The AKC strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in a situation where its health or safety is at risk. However, Senate Bill 677 is so broad that it may prohibit certain instances of humane and safe tethering outdoors.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned Hawaii dog owners are encouraged to contact the bill’s sponsor, Senator Les S. Ihara, Jr., and members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, and their elected State Senator to comment on this bill. The Senate Committee on Judiciary has scheduled a public hearing for Friday, February 7th at 10:00AM in conference room 016.
Bill Sponsor Senator Les S. Ihara, Jr.
Hawaii State Capitol
415 South Beretania Street
Room 220
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-6250
senihara@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senate Committee on Judiciary
Senator Karl Rhoads (Chairman)
Senate District 13
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 204
phone: 808-586-6130
fax: 808-586-6131
senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (Vice Chair)
Senate District 24
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 203
phone: 808-587-7215
fax: 808-587-7220
senkeohokalole@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Mike Gabbard
Senate District 20
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 201
phone: 808-586-6830
fax: 808-586-6679
sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Kurt Fevella
Senate District 19
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 217
phone: 808-586-6360
fax: 808-586-6361
senfevella@capitol.hawaii.gov
Senator Donna Mercado Kim
Senate District 14
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 218
phone: 808-587-7200
fax: 808-587-7205
senkim@capitol.hawaii.gov
To find your Hawaii State Representative, click here and enter your address in the box on the top right of the page.
RESOURCES:
For a copy of the full legislation, please click here.
To read more about issues surrounding humane tethering, please click here.
For tips on how to effectively communicate with legislators, please click here.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org, or AKC’s Hawaii federation, the Pacific Pet Alliance at pacificpetalliance@gmail.com.