Comment #2

time*treat — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:32:26 GMT

I wouldn't mind going back to the days when this was the worst thing we had to write about.

Comment #1

justxploring — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:42:57 GMT

<br />Yes, it's totally ridiculous to ticket someone for walking his dog on a leash. However, if the cops are really getting complaints, then they must enforce the law. I love dogs, but many of them are vicious and shouldn't be in public parks, especially where there are children. Then there are those humans who don't pick up after their animals, so everyone gets punished. Still, some people are not dog lovers, so I guess they have a right to be at a park without them. In FL most beaches... [ More ]

Original Blog Entry: Walking your dog is now a criminal offense

truesee — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:29:43 GMT

Police Cite Dog Walkers Along Kapiolani Park

Authorities Say Recent Complaints Sparked Crackdown

POSTED: 9:04 pm HST September 25, 2009

UPDATED: 9:07 pm HST September 25, 2009

KITV ABC 4

HONOLULU -- Police cited people walking their dogs on leashes Friday on a sidewalk beside Waikiki Beach with a criminal offense that carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine or both.

Dan Falardeau walks his dog, Joey, seven days a week. On Friday, two police officers stopped Falardeau.

The officers told me that I was being ticketed for having my dog in a city park, and I tried to explain to them that I am on the sidewalk because I walk through here every single day, and couldn't I get a warning and they said, 'This was on the order of the mayor's office,' Falardeau said.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann's office said there was no directive from it to ticket dog owners.

Waikiki police said they are ticketing because of many complaints about dogs in Kapiolani Park. They said they warned some dog owners on Thursday.

The pathway where Falardeau was walking his dog is actually part of Kapiolani Park and different from a regular sidewalk. There are signs warning no animals allowed. Police ticketed three other women walking their dogs on leashes on the same sidewalk along the park Friday.

The citation is for a criminal offense, a petty misdemeanor prohibiting animals in parks. It requires a court appearance.

I keep him on a leash. I pick up his poop. He's got a license and I don't quite understand this and now he's a criminal, Falardeau said.

Regular beachgoer Patrice Scott said she was surprised by the crackdown on leashed dogs.

I just think it is crazy. How could you get a ticket for walking your dog? I don't understand, she said. Seems like there are a lot of better things to be writing people up for like speeding.

Other dog walkers KITV spoke with called the ticketing ridiculous.

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