Hearing Looms on Hawaii Dog Ownership Ban

From PetProductNews.com March 21, 2012

A bill regulating ownership of intact dogs is set to go before a Hawaii House committee tomorrow.

Hawaii State Senate Bill 2492, which passed the Senate earlier this month, bans ownership or custody of more than 30 intact dogs over one year old. Hawaii’s House Committee on Judiciary has scheduled a hearing on the bill for Thursday, March 22, 2012.

The bill also requires any person who owns more than 10 intact dogs over the age of four months to meet minimum standards of care. These standards include providing regular exercise, sufficient food and clean water, adequate housing, enough space for movement and sufficient veterinary care.

Also, owners will be required to implant a microchip in each dog over the age of 4 months and to keep detailed records for the dog and its offspring. These records include date of birth, veterinary treatment and litter sizes and must be kept for at least three years following the death of the dog or the date on which the owner ceased to have possession of the dog.

Senate Bill 2492 exempts animal control and welfare agencies and veterinary clinics.

“There is no correlation between the number of animals in a facility and the quality of care those animals receive,” the Washington, D.C.-based Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council stated in opposition. “Furthermore, a prohibition such as this limits the ability of dog breeders to maintain sufficiently diverse blood lines resulting in an increase in adverse hereditary conditions.”

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