Current Laws

Laws protect animals and people in our community. Enforcement of these laws may be by the Humane Society, Honolulu Police Department or other agencies.

County Laws

• Dangerous dogs (Sections 7-7.1-7, 7-7.2) 
  
• Transportation of dogs in pick-up trucks and horses in trailers (Section 15-24.22)
  
• Dogs in public required to be leashed (Section 7-4.1)
  
• Mandatory dog licensing ensures proof of ownership (Section 7-3.1)
  
• Mandatory cat identification (Section 7-6.2)
  
• Outdoor cats must be neutered (Section 7-6.6)
  
• Noise nuisance law; dogs & roosters (Section 7-2.2)
  
• Numbers and types of animals allowed (Section 7-2.5)
  
• Pet waste & litter law violations (Section 29-4.4(9))
  
• Farm animal enclosure requirements & limits on number of dogs & chickens (Section 7-2.5)
  

State Laws

• Animal abandonment
  
• Animal cruelty
  
• Animal cruelty, crimes; dog fighting
  
• Cruelty to animals; exception for insects, vermin, and other pests
• Service animals; definitions; ADA and Fair Housing Act
  
• Necessary sustenance law
  
• Pets as therapy allowed in health care centers
  
• Illegal animals in Hawaii
  
• Lost & found law about dogs
  
• Animals in vehicles
  
• Emergency public shelters for pets
  
• Animal quarantine requirements for pets entering Hawaii
  
• Rabbit sheltering requirements
  
• Temporary restraining orders extend to pets
  
• Animal quarantine special fund
  
• Cruelty to equine animals
  
• Sale of bear gallbladders and bile
  
• Terroristic threatening involving animals
  
• Veterinarian continuing education
  
• Invasive species appropriation
  
• Shark Fin Ban

Federal Laws

• Animal Fighting Prohibition Act
  
• Pets Evacuation & Transportation Standards Acts

Special thanks to Ryan K. Hew, Attorney at Law, who helped us collect information about these laws.