Legislators aim for stiffer penalties against pet owners

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Legislators want to put more teeth in laws against pet owners, whose dogs bite people. The family of a man killed by a pack of dogs said dog owners need to be held accountable.

Dog attacks leave victims with more than just physical scars. Many said they are traumatized and live in fear.

A number of vicious incidents have made headlines including the fatal mauling of 71-year-old Robert Northrop in Aug. 2023.

“Yesterday was the six month anniversary of my Father Bob Northrop’s death. He lived in Oceanview. He was walking and was killed by four dogs that were loose,” explained Shannon Matson. “And the dog owners have still not faced any sort of repercussions. There’s been no consequences, no accountability, no charges brought.”

Matson is not alone. Many who’ve suffered dog attacks said there’s little recourse, adding insult to injury.

Stephanie Kendrick, the Hawaiian Humane Society Director of Community Engagement, said the problem is the lack of adequate rules relating to dangerous dog incidents.

“What we have is a hodgepodge of rules across the state and what we have is very minor penalties for these offenses,” Kendrick added. “I’m talking about misdemeanor offenses, and that’s regardless of the nature of the attack.”

A new bill gaining traction in the legislature aims to change that.

“What this bill does is it creates a designation for dangerous dogs as well as a process to impound a dog,” Rep. Greggor Ilagan explained. “And for those serious conditions where a dog attacks a human, there’s proper penalties.”

According to HB2058, a dangerous dog would be defined as “any dog that, without provocation, causes a bite injury to a person or another animal.”

Kendrick said the bill does not target any particular dog breed, it puts the responsibility on the dog owner.

“What we don’t want is a dog being punished for natural behavior,” Kendrick explained. “So somebody comes onto their property and is a stranger, the dog reacts negatively, well that’s kind of the dog’s job.”

But if the attack is unprovoked, Ilagan said the dog owner could be charged with a class C felony. And he said, if the victim dies, the dog could be put down and the owner could spend up to five years in prison.

“We need to encourage proper responsibility for dog owners,” Ilagan said. “We need to make sure dog owners are taking care of their dogs and keeping them within their property and doesn’t harm others.”

Matson knows nothing will bring her father back but said stricture laws will help give their family some closure.

“We feel that stronger legislation would help ensure that in both our fathers memory and in the hopes that nobody else has to go through this again.”

For other animal bills that have been introduced to the 2024 State Legislative Session, visit the Hawaiian Humane society website.