Pa'auilo Mauka Kalōpā Community Association
Dangerous Dogs Project
In recent months, residents of our mauka Pa'auilo and Kalōpā communities have been dealing with threats and attacks by aggressive dogs. PMKCA is taking some actions to understand and publicize the problem, and to offer some guidance and support to residents who have been threatened or injured, or who have had their pets and livestock attacked.
Click this button for more information on what state and county laws apply to incidents of harassment and attacks by dogs, and what we are doing and helping our community to do to reduce the risks we face.
There are two ways that you can help, and that would allow us to help you. If you had an incident with a dog, either by sighting a loose dog, or by experiencing an incident with a dangerous dog, please report your incident using whichever form below fits the situation you encountered.
Loose Dog Report
Use the Loose Dog Report to collect and share information and photos of loose dogs (without a controlling human) in our community.
The dog(s) you are reporting here are not engaged in any harassing or attacking behavior. (Use the "Dangerous Dog Report" for that type of incident.)
Take photos at the scene and create this report at your next convenient opportunity.
Or click this button to...
Dangerous Dog Report
Use the Dangerous Dog Report to collect and share information about incidents in which dogs are known to have harassed or attacked people or animals in our community.
Also use this form for incidents that provide evidence (a photo if possible) that an attack by dog(s) has occurred, even when the dog(s) were not seen.
First, take care of yourself, your family, and your animals, and contact Police or Animal Control (see below).
Later, please take time to fill out this form.
Or click this button to...
When to call the authorities:
An attack is in progress or when a person has been injured:
Call 911
For immediate police and EMT response.
An attack has occurred involving animals:
Police non-emergency
808 935-3311
"I am reporting a Priority 1 dangerous dog incident and want to file a police report."
An aggressive dog incident, but NO attack or injuries have occurred:
Animal Control
808 327-3558
"I was threatened by an aggressive dog."
Or choose to keep your actions close to home...
Call your neighbors for support.
More Information about this Project
The Law in Hawai'i
Hawaii just recently (2024-2025) strengthened its state rules governing what constitutes a "dangerous dog", what charges can be brought against the owner of a dog designated as dangerous, and how a dangerous dog might be managed by the owner and authorities (Animal Control, Police).
What do Hawaii's Revised Statutes say about Dangerous Dogs? From Statutes (Part III under Chapter 711, sections 1140-1148): Definition: "Dangerous dog" means any dog that, without provocation, causes a bite injury to a person or another animal. A dog's breed shall not be considered in determining whether it is dangerous."
In commentary about the new statutes, the state legislature provided this explanation:
"Act 224, Session Laws 2024, added this part to: (1) define what constitutes a dangerous dog; and (2) establish requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. The legislature found that the State struggled with the problem of loose dogs that behave aggressively. Despite the passage of ordinance no. 36 by the county of Hawaii in 2022 to establish fines, penalties, and other regulations for individuals who own dangerous dogs, dog attacks continued to occur, demonstrating the need for stronger laws and enforcement. The legislature also found that existing state law preempted the enactment of felony offenses through county ordinance. Accordingly, the legislature noted that Act 224 would protect the public by addressing dangerous conditions caused by dogs and their owners in local communities and imposing appropriate penalties."
What does Hawaii County Code say about Dogs? The Big Island also recently updated its County Code to provide more guidance on how incidents of harassment or attacks against people and animals should be handled at the county level.
Both recent changes to the laws provide clarification, give guidance to victims of attacks and owners of dangerous dogs, and direct enforcement officers (Animal Control and Police).
What is PMKCA's Role?
Our objective, with the help of the community: We want to see a reduction in the number of incidents of harassment and attacks by dogs on people, livestock and pets in our community. We hope to achieve that goal by:
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REPORTING: Giving residents in the community a means to report dogs that are threatening or attacking people or animals, or that are loose in the community and might become a threat.
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IDENTIFYING: Providing information about areas in our community that seem to have more risk of attacks and helping residents to find solutions to the threats they may be facing. Identifying dogs that don't belong in our community (are abandoned or lost) so that they can be humanely removed by Animal Control.
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SUPPORTING: Giving any residents who are threatened or attacked personally, or whose animals are threatened or attacked, whatever support they may require in recovering from an incident.
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ENDORSING: Encouraging responsible dog ownership in our community for the benefit of all vulnerable residents and their animals, and for the benefit of all the dogs that serve our residents.
WHAT WE DON'T DO:
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We don't report our neighbors to authorities or involve ourselves in any case. If an incident occurs, it is up to the victim of the incident to seek whatever resolution fits their needs.
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We don't publicize any information about the reporters of incidents, the victims of incidents, or any speculation about the perpetrators of any incidents. When we keep contact information, it is held securely and is used only to verify what information has come to us.