Ask the Mayor: What Can Be Done About Roaming Dog Pack?

Maui Humane Society. Courtesy photo.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his office staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, call 270-7855 or send them by mail to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mayor:

Q: I live in Kahana, and have a neighbor who has more than a dozen dogs, many of them vicious. Numerous people have been bitten and police reports exist to substantiate this.

Many nights, the neighbor lets his dogs roam the street off-leash. I have had my leashed dog attacked three times by these dogs.

My neighbor apologizes profusely and says the dogs just don’t get along. My dog is leashed and I fear for my dog’s safety and for my life every time we are outside when the pack of dogs is turned loose.

I have told my neighbor I will call the police the next time we are attacked.

What are the laws regarding large packs of loose dogs? How many dogs are too many? The barking is one thing, but the physical attacks are scary. What can I do?

A: I checked with Maui Humane Society enforcement officers, who offered background information on what is required, what is legal and what is not.

For starters, all dogs are required to be leashed unless on their own property or with the permission of another and the property is fenced, or on tie-outs.

There is currently no law about the number of animals a person can have.

It is not illegal to own a vicious dog, and a dog attacking another dog is not considered an attack unless it causes severe injury or death; it is treated as a leash law violation.

That being said, any bite to a human can be considered dangerous, and it is illegal for dogs to bark for 10 minutes consecutively or intermittently for 20 minutes.

For starters, all dogs are required to be leashed unless on their own property or with the permission of another and the property is fenced, or on tie-outs.

There is currently no law about the number of animals a person can have.

It is not illegal to own a vicious dog, and a dog attacking another dog is not considered an attack unless it causes severe injury or death; it is treated as a leash law violation. That being said, any bite to a human can be considered dangerous.

If you are bitten seek medical attention first, then call MHS enforcement as soon as possible at 877-3680 ext. 211. Be sure to identify the dog if you can, as well as the owner, and where they live.

For loose dogs, take photos so enforcement officers can identify the dog(s).

It is illegal for dogs to bark for 10 minutes consecutively or intermittently for 20 minutes. To document barking, download the MHS barking form at www.mauihumanesociety.org, document the time and duration and then turn the form to the MHS.