Sunday, June 12, 2005

Monday, May 16, 2005 8:21 AM HST Feral cats often disrupt wildlife Scientist say they can reduce bird populations by carolyn lucas west hawaii today clucas@westhawaiitoday.com While mostly credited for their dumpster diving and late-night fights, feral cats are better known to biologists as wildlife enemy No. 1. As offspring of abandoned or stray household cats, these wild animals are often blamed for the reductions in population of Hawaii's endemic bird life. Most birds at risk are the endangered palila and nene, said Joaquin Mello, wildlife biologist for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DFW). Feral cats are "definitely harmful" to Hawaii's native and game birds, who have no defenses because they evolved in an environment with no predators, Mello said. "Feral cats must hunt for food like all predators and that food includes birds," he said. "Many of our native birds are struggling to survive with threats such as predators, diseases and loss of habitat." The introduction of cats to an island can result in the elimination of entire bird populations, conservationists said. In 1895, Christchurch Press in New Zealand reported the Stephen Island Wren was driven to extinction by one cat, who belonged to lighthouse keeper, according to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Although the exact number of birds killed by cats is unknown, wildlife experts estimate millions of birds worldwide are lost annually. Mello suspected birds nesting or feeding on the ground were more susceptible to cat predation. Since 1998, biologists have studied the palila, seed-eating honeycreepers that exist in a single location on the western side of Mauna Kea. There, for the last 200 years, the birds have only eaten the seeds, flowers and buds off mamne trees, said DLNR chairman Peter Young in a September 2004 interview. Biologists estimated there were more than 50 species of these endangered native Hawaiian forest birds. Now, there are 20. This region supports a population of about 4,500 birds, Young said. The U.S. Geographical Survey's Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center placed cameras near several palila nests. It then captured and attached radio collars to five male and three female feral cats. For 18 months, the center monitored the cats' movements and discovered 8 to 11 percent of the monitored palila nests were preyed upon annually by cats. Feral cats also attack nene adults and goslings. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park speculated 25,000 nene existed in Hawaii in 1778, when Captain Cook arrived. In the mid-1940s, only 50 geese remained. Park officials attributed the population decline to predators like mongooses, cats and dogs. About two to three cats are removed monthly from a nene sanctuary in Keaau. DFW in Hilo captures feral cats "as necessary" in mongoose traps. The state agency did not know how many feral cats it traps annually. "We eliminate them," Mello said. "But if they look salvageable, we will take them to the Humane Society." If DFW stopped managing feral cats, Mello predicted the cat population would reproduce until it reached its maximum level and it would lower the Big Island's "desirable" birds. Wildlife experts have discovered feral cat populations on Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Pohakuloa and in small kipukas surrounded by barren lava flows. They are found at these state forest reserves and wilderness areas because people often abandon their unwanted pets there. DFW educates the public about "not turning cats loose in the wild" through its hunter education program, Mello said. Animal activists and feral cat advocates frequently say cats are unjustly blamed for killing wildlife. They claim cats are part of the ecosystem and help it by keeping the rat population down. Mello, however, disagrees. Feral cats, "to some extent," do manage the rats, but studies indicate cats prefer to stalk their prey in the late morning and early evening hours. These felines hunt birds because "it's easier," Mello said. "Feral cats add a significant degree of damage to our wildlife," Mello said. "They're not native; they're a disruption."

Friday, March 18, 2005 9:36 AM HST Citizens support animal control By Carolyn Lucas West Hawaii Today clucas@westhawaiitoday.com Jean Gray never sleeps more than a few hours every night. Her neighbor's six dogs bark continuously. Dana Simons said he used to approach the owner about "the vocal dogs," but can't anymore because it creates tension. These neighbors from Sunset View Terrace were among the dozen who testified Thursday about a proposed bill revision that would impose higher fines on people who abuse animals, allow them to stray or let them make too much noise. About 20 people attended the public hearing at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. If Bill 4, Draft 5 is approved, the penalty for people who let their dogs continuously bark for at least 10 minutes during the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 p.m. would be $75 to $100. Gray and Simons are fearful that higher fines are not enough. They asked the council "to go one step further" by dictating an "appropriate" number for dogs per homes in residential areas. They want the number to be two. Councilman Stacy Higa said the fines will help their problem. "Hit the guy in the pocketbook," he said. "If he has deep pockets, oh well. With six dogs, it will knock out his mortgage if they keep on barking." Gray disagreed with Higa, saying "What the neighborhood needs is a dog social worker, who looks at the situation, attends to it immediately, voices the neighbors' concerns and offers appropriate solutions to fix the (conflict)." Solving this problem, he added, isn't just calling the police or an animal control officer. "It has to be by his own goodwill," Gray said. "The neighbor has to be committed to keeping them quiet." On the Big Island, there are approximately 5,000 registered pig hunters, many who used dogs to hunt, said Josi Morgan, Hawaii Island Humane Society executive. "Although we should hear them and their opinions are valid, they represent a small fraction of the community," she added. "We need to consider the needs of the entire community, not just those with the loudest voices. We want people to take responsibility for the animals they care for." Waimea farmers complained to Morgan about hunters who lead 20 to 30 dogs into the mountains and come back with only five or six. The remaining dogs, they said, wander down to their farms and take down their sheep. To stop this and help the farmers receive restitution, Morgan suggested animals receive microchips. These microchips permanently register the animals in the national database. "Once tagged, it's 100 percent proof of ownership," Higa added. The Humane Society, Morgan said, can install the microchips for $10. Kona Highlands Resident Gail Loufbourrow's dog was shot in her yard last November. She said she investigated the killing "with horror" and discovered 10 other dogs in her area had died from the same death. She claims to have sought help from the police, but felt frustrated. Loufborrow said she applauded the bill, which makes the penalty $75 to $1,000 for animal abuse. She claims to even support a $500 penalty if it included the veterinary costs.

Friday, March 11, 2005 10:02 AM HST Puppy power Council looking at laws to curb stray animals By PETER SUR Tribune-Herald staff writer County Councilors heard from the public Thursday night about a bill that, if approved, would impose high fines on people who would abuse animals, allow them to stray or make too much noise. Testimony on the bill, the first of four public hearings scheduled around the island, was critical about much of the language, although few wholeheartedly opposed the entire bill. Hunters opposed the proposed fee hikes and argued that it would disrupt their way of life if they weren't allowed to let their dogs hunt. Supporting the bill, but with reservations, was John Okino, 75, of Hilo. He invited several councilors to spend the night in his house to deal with the barking dogs next door. Okino told the council that he had moved into his current residence on Kanoelani Street in 1955, but in 1988 the house next door was bought by dog breeders. "They bark, howl, you name it," he said, adding about 10 dogs were next door. Okino said he complained to the Police Department, the Humane Society, the county Real Property Tax office, the Building Department, the Planning Department, and the Prosecuting Attorney. He gave a petition to Mayor Harry Kim but was told nothing could be done. "What do you do? What kind of help can I get?" he said. He said Bill 4, Draft 5, as it is known, did not distinguish whether one or many dogs were on a property. Okino asked the councilors to set some kind of limit on the number of dogs that could be allowed in a residential neighborhood. Council Chairman Gary Safarik was sympathetic. "How many people are not with Mr. Okino that we're not listening to?" he said. Later, a brief visit to Okino's street confirmed the claims. From the road, at least three dogs could be heard barking continuously from a white, two-story house next door to Okino's house. The house appeared vacant. Citing their objections to other portions of the bill, representatives from hunting organizations said the bill unfairly targeted them. Richard Hoeflinger, representing himself and the Big Island Gun Dogs, cited proposed jumps in the fee for owning a dog license. Other hunters said they were unable to pay the increase, which would raise the biennial fee for sterilized dogs from $2 to $10 every two years. The fees for unsterilized dogs would go from $6 to $25 per year. "Hunting dogs have value. A fully trained bird dog, as an example, is worth on the order of $5,000. We don't let those animals run loose," he said. Under the bill, the penalties for most offenses would be $75 at a minimum and range up to $1,000. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth said the high fees would finally put "teeth" into a law that is currently not enforceable. "A lot of the fines didn't act as a deterrent," Roth said, citing current laws that impose an initial fine of $25 up to $100. Other hunters disagreed with large portions of the bill that dealt specifically with dogs and asked why, for example, cats were exempted. "What I get is barking dog complaints," said Council Vice Chairman Bob Jacobson, who introduced the bill. "Hopefully this bill would address this thing." One changes in the bill's latest version, reduces the fine for a dog owner convicted of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog from $2,000 to $1,000. The draft also also establishes a "spay-neuter" special fund, which would pay for a county pet sterilization program. It would be financed by license and kennel fees, and by county appropriations. Public hearings on Bill 4, Draft 5, are scheduled in Ocean View, Kailua-Kona and Waimea. Call the County Clerk at 961-8255 for more information. Peter Sur can be reached at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:47 AM HST Animal control laws with teeth Hawaii County Council endorses new legislation with higher fines By JASON ARMSTRONG Tribune-Herald staff writer Anyone who abuses an animal or allows his dog to stray will face much higher fines under a bill that a County Council committee endorsed Tuesday. The maximum penalty for animal cruelty would be doubled to $1,000, with a minimum $75 fine, according to the bill. The wide-ranging measure would apply the same fines to people who allow their farm animals or dogs to get loose and those who fail to retrieve them within 24 hours. The current penalties range from $25 to a high of $500 for those with at least three violations within five years. The cost of a two-year license for a sterile dog would jump to $10, up from $2. Dog owners would have to pay $25 every other year, rather than the current $6, to register a fertile canine. Motorists who hit an animal would have to notify police or an animal-care center. Those who don't would face a fine of $75 to $1,000. The current penalty is $50. To avoid the same fines, people who take in stray dogs would have 48 hours to notify the Hawaii Island Humane Society or an animal-care center. The penalty for barking dogs also would be increased. A fine of $75 to $1,000 would be imposed if, during the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., a dog barks continuously for 10 minutes or for 20 minutes during a half-hour period. Between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., dog noises would be limited to five minutes continuous or 10 minutes within half-hour. The fine for a barking dog now ranges from $25 on the first violation to a maximum of $200 for the fourth infraction. The bill received unanimous support from the Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Committee. The measure, identified as Bill 4, will appear later this month before the full council. Members amended the bill to mandate that a percentage -- the actual number will be set later -- of the higher fees and fines be used to fund an expanded spay/neutering program. Ka'u Councilman Bob Jacobson said he introduced the bill to help protect people from the dangers that loose animals pose. His bill resulted from a two-year effort that involved numerous people, including Deputy Prosecutor Mitchell Roth. Animal control, said Roth, "is one of the biggest problems I have on my desk." The bill will address about 80 percent of the problems, Roth said. It received support from animal-rights advocates and police, who must enforce the no-barking law but often lack the manpower to time the noise for a full hour, as required under the current law. Josi Morgan, Hawaii Island Humane Society executive director, called the existing fines "ridiculous." "Give us something to enforce," she told lawmakers. "I think if you hit (violators) in the pocket, they will keep their animals on their property." But others raised concerns with the measure. Lanny Sinkin, who cares for injured and abandoned animals on his Kurtistown farm, said he cannot take on the responsibility of removing animals that motorists hit. He called for differing fines to distinguish between loose dogs, those that are free and cause problems, and dangerous dogs. Mary Van Hove, who for more than 20 years has cared for feral animals living near the Keaau Transfer Station, said education is a better solution to the island's animal problem than tougher regulations. "Cruelty is contagious," she said, "so is kindness." Jason Armstrong can be reached at jarmstrong@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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