Local, state and federal laws all protect animals and people in our community. Enforcement of these laws is determined by jurisdiction and may involve the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Honolulu Police Department or other agencies.
County Laws
Chapter 12, Animals and Fowl, of the Revised Ordinance of Honolulu includes most of Oʻahu’s animal regulations including:
- Mandatory identification for pet dogs (Article 8) and cats (Article 6)
- Leash law for dogs (Article 4)
- Dangerous dogs (Article 7)
- Cockfighting prohibited (Article 1)
- Mandatory reporting of found cats to animal control (Article 6)
- Mandatory sterilization for pet cats allowed outdoors (Article 6)
- Noise nuisance law; dogs and roosters (Article 2)
- Limits on number of dogs and chickens (Article 2)
Chapter 10, Article 1 includes the rules on dogs in City & County parks
Chapter 13, Article 4 include the rules on removing animal waste
Chapter 15, Article 24 includes the rules on carrying animals in a vehicle
State Laws
Chapter 711 of Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, Offenses Against Public Order, includes Hawaiʻi criminal animal cruelty provisions:
- Necessary sustenance law
- Animal cruelty, first degree
- Animal cruelty, second degree
- Forfeiture of animals in cruelty cases
- Animal cruelty; dog fighting
- Animal sexual assault
Other important state laws include:
- Prohibiting animal abandonment
- Mandatory reporting of found dogs to animal control
- Quarantine requirements for pets entering Hawaiʻi
- Temporary restraining orders extend to pets
- Terroristic threatening involving animals
- Pet deposits for rental units
- Pets as therapy allowed in health care centers
- Veterinary emergency care
- Veterinary mandatory reporting
Federal Laws
- Prohibitions Against Animal Fighting
- Laws Governing Service and Emotional Support Animals
- Disaster Response Planning to Include Needs of Pet Owners