Bad dog owners must be held responsible
Bad dog owners must be held responsible
We have seen and have tried to get our neighbor’s hunting dogs out our yard, they are off leash, and have been vicious on several occasions, and have once killed our little dog, and recently our cat. The vet himself has never seen such horrendous injuries.
My 8-year-old daughter was in school, thankfully, on both occasions, but my worry is it could have been my daughter that they could have killed or seriously injured, while she played in our yard.
I immediately called the police to the neighbor’s home who ID’d the dog, along with the animal control officer. Of course, both dogs had no license/chip, were indeed off-leash, and now have a court date scheduled. The police just told us that there is nothing they can do, and we would have to protect our yard in whatever means necessary. We will attend the trial, but are concerned that they will just get a slap on the wrist, and again nothing will be done.
To the judge who will be hearing these type of cases, please fine them with steep financial penalties. (Money talks when it hits them in their wallet, and ordered by the judge.) I couldn’t even get them to pay for the vet bill that cost me hundreds, just to put them down, and for the emotional distress of losing both our pets. We have to be pro-active when it comes to this issue, or the next time it could be the death or serious injury of someone’s child.
At the least, make them purchase, and prove to the court that they have purchased tie downs, kennels, muzzles, whatever it would take to make them responsible for their pets.
As they say, they are no bad dogs, just bad pet owners, but because of the lack of responsibility, these dogs are now a danger to the public. I worry for myself and my daughter constantly. I am sure there are other people who fear to come out of their homes, or in my case, play in our own yard.
Most people, because of retaliation, probably don’t even report it. Can the judge order muzzles, have the dog impounded, in a kennel, then leashed, or just have the dog removed from the home? We also want to thank the humane society animal control officer, he did his job, and cited them for the offense.
Kathryne Kahumoku
Waimea
Opinion wasn’t mine
I would like to remind Sohrab F. Dorabji that I wrote the letter pertaining to the panhandler situation on behalf of a friend who wished for me to express his feelings to the public. Since the letter was posted I have received several calls “one way or another.”
One in particular suggested that those who give should be the ones fined. Sort of like arresting the “John” for patronizing the prostitute. I also wrote the “we do not have simple minded legislators.” If anything they are a bit long on breath, meaning they would drag the matter out and if something came of it, it would more than likely be in reams of paper.
To quote Rhett Butler “frankly, Scarlet, I don’t give a damn,” meaning personally I will stand aside on this issue.
Hugo von Platen Luder
Holualoa
Crane da Boat
I know that there is more than one local general contractor that has large cranes.
The position that the wrecked fiberglass boat is in on our pristine surf beach at Kohanaiki, a crane should have already been mobilized to lift the bow and move it 20-30 degrees into the sand and while it’s lifted, maneuver an adjustable trailer under that bow and winch it on to that trailer and use the brand new concrete road to get it the heck out of there.
As our high surf continues it will just continue to come apart. As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the craft is still salvageable. Tomorrow it may not be, but the environmental damage will continue long after it is finally gone.
B. Wetmore
Honokaa
Who says graffiti is dangerous?
Michael Helms states the Queen Kaahumanu Highway is routinely the site of horrific high-speed collisions. If you are upset about high-speed collisions, maybe the speeders will slow down and read the graffiti. Is graffiti issue a safety item? I, for one, want the graffiti back.
Also, Sens. Hirono and Schatz will not require refugees from Iraq and Syria to receive background checks, but they support background checks on the gun owners here. Give me a break.
Jim Koubele
Kailua-Kona
Visitors should foot rescue bill
I do hope the woman who required a helicopter to get her out of the crater was given a bill for the rescue services.
Too many people lack common sense when doing things like hiking or diving. A while back there was an article that said those getting rescued would be responsible for the bill. I hope that rule is in operation so our county doesn’t go into debt helping to save people from their own foolishness. The taxpayer shouldn’t be left footing the bill for them.
Colleen Miyose-Wallis
Kailua-Kona
Know what’s being done to your rights
The vast majority of Americans are unaware of measures that fail or pass in Washington. Recently the U.S. Senate voted down HR4269 named the U.N. Resolution/Arms Trade Treaty calling for weapons collection and disarming of Americans.
A 53-46 vote in the Senate narrowly passed that stopped our elected officials from agreeing to this U.N. Arms Treaty. Had this treaty been agreed to, our government would have actively supported and carried out weapons collection and disarmament of private gun owners across America.
Forty six of our U.S. Senators (out of 108) voted for this U.N. Resolution. Hirono and Schatz are on record voting for this foreign treaty.
It’s vital that the people of Hawaii know how our senators feel about our Second Amendment rights. It’s on record.
Shawn Daggett
Puuanahulu
Center closing is a huge loss
I find it extremely sad that the Ellison Onizuka Space Center will be closing this March. It is forced to leave its current location at the airport because of their renovations. The center has been at the airport since 1991 as a tribute to Ellison Onizuka who was lost on the Challenger.
He is a true Hawaiian hero and it is incredible to me that there will be no Big Island museum dedicated to him. Other museums, like Imiloa in Hilo, has sponsorship through the University. Our governor needs to step in and help rebuild and operate the museum here in Kona or find other sponsorship. School children from all over the state visit the space center and learn about science and Ellison.
He thought education was so important and never missed an opportunity to share and inspire. People have visited from all over the world and have commented how wonderful this center is. Many adults have returned having attended as children and have brought their own children. I have worked at the center for four years and love seeing the keiki’s faces light up exploring science and will be so sorry to miss that vision in the future.
Ann Raphael
Kailua-Kona
‘Fight the Bite’ still important
I have been following the increased knowledge of and control efforts for the mosquitoes which spread dengue fever. I thought the awareness of mosquito-borne illnesses might serve us in the future. And then along came news of Zika.
Like the 2011 tsunami warning, which taught us that there were areas needing improvement, the control efforts for dengue will serve us as did the corrections for the next tsunami warning, which were greatly improved.
“Fight the Bite” continues to be important!
Susan L Rhymes
Kailua-Kona