HCC §4-4-31
When dangerous dogs can be killed
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section says when animal control officers or livestock owners may kill a dangerous dog. A dog running loose that cannot be caught or calmed can be killed by an officer. If a stray dangerous dog hurts or kills livestock, the livestock owner or their agent can take any action needed to protect the animals, including killing the dog.
The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Dangerous dogs may be slain
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) If any dangerous, fierce, or vicious dog shall be found running at large and cannot be taken up or tranquilized and impounded, such dog may be slain by any animal control officer. (b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary which may be found elsewhere in this chapter, where livestock have been killed, maimed or injured by any dangerous, fierce or vicious stray dog, the owner of such livestock or the owner’s agent, may take any action necessary to protect the owner’s livestock from such dangerous, fierce, or vicious dog, including, without limitation, slaying or otherwise disposing of the same. 4-11 SUPP. 16 (7-2024)
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.