HCC §4-4-34
What happens when police take a dog after a violation
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗If police believe a dog owner broke certain dog laws, they can arrest or cite the owner and have the dog taken to a shelter or vet. The dog stays there until a court decides its fate or the case is dropped. The owner may have to pay for the dog's care, and if they don't show up in court, they lose ownership.
The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Citation and summons; seizure; relinquishment of ownership
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) Upon finding probable cause to believe that there has been a violation of sections 4-4-32 or 4-4-33, a police officer may arrest or issue a summons and citation to the dog’s owner, or both. In addition to arresting or issuing a summons and citation to the owner, a police officer shall have the dog seized and impounded by animal control officers until: (1) the Court orders that the dog be humanely destroyed or returned to the owner, or; (2) a criminal case arising out of the violation of section 4-4-32 or 4-4-33 is dismissed, whichever comes first. Such impoundment may be at the premises of a licensed veterinarian, a County animal control facility, or at a commercial kennel. Medical and impound expenses incurred by the County relating to the care and custody of the dog may be collected from the owner, with waiver of expenses permitted based upon criteria outlined in the animal control and protection agency’s administrative rules. (b) If a dog is seized and impounded pursuant to this section, the citation shall notify the owner that if the owner does not appear at the time and place stated in the summons, the dog shall be subject to relinquishment pursuant to subsection (d). 4-13 SUPP. 16 (7-2024) (c) Any person who refuses to surrender a dog that is subject to relinquishment pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and fined not less than $200 nor more than $2,000, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. (d) In the event that the owner of a dog seized and impounded pursuant to this section fails to appear in court as required, ownership of the dog shall be deemed relinquished and the court may order disposition of the dog as it deems appropriate. (e) Notwithstanding any relinquishment of ownership of the dog pursuant to subsection (d) or voluntary relinquishment of ownership of the dog, the owner shall still be responsible for all expenses of boarding the dog and any penalties which may be imposed by the court. (2002, ord 02-138, sec 3; am 2022, ord 22-36, secs 6 and 9; am 2024, ord 24-26, sec 6.)4-4-34
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.