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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Monday, April 4, 2005

Humane Society resumes dog-bark duty

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawaiian Humane Society is once again taking public complaints about barking dogs.

To report barking dogs

Call Hawaiian Humane Society, 946-2187.

Call 911 if the barking might indicate a burglary, fight or other suspicious circumstance.

Previously the point of contact for dog-nuisance calls, the Humane Society discontinued the service in 2002 after the city did not meet its demands for an $80,000 increase on a $1.6 million contract.

The Humane Society said it had been operating at a deficit and could no longer continue to do so.

The city passed the task of dealing with noisy dogs to the police, who were quickly overwhelmed by barking-dog calls.

The nuisance-dog calls were passed from the Police Department to a series of nonprofit animal welfare groups before the city asked the Humane Society to submit a new bid.

Jacque Smith, a Humane Society spokeswoman, said the city approved a contract for $1.78 million, including $400,000 to pay veterinarians for neutering services.

Smith and the police said that callers wishing to report barking dogs should first try to determine if the barking might indicate a burglary, fight or other suspicious circumstance in the neighborhood. Call 911 if that appears to be the case.

Nuisance barking should be reported to the Humane Society at 946-2187.

The Humane Society will respond to the call by first sending a letter to the owner of the dog, Smith said.

An investigator will be sent to the home of the dog owner if a second call is received.

Because additional complaints could result in court action, she said, anonymous calls will not be accepted.

Calls regarding noisy roosters will not be handled by the Humane Society.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.