KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Residents are sounding the alarm over packs of loose dogs attacking small animals in Kapolei.
They say they are from homeless encampments and are concerned that the dogs could target keiki or kupuna.
Kapolei residents told KHON2 that the problem has gotten worse in recent years, and the dogs often attack cats or chickens in the area and leave remains behind.
“They attack any small animal that they see. And, they leave nothing behind. And it’s, you know, all of them. And there’s packs of five, six. I’ve seen up to eight dogs at one time. It’s brutal,” said Mikiala Lidstone, Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board vice chair.
Lidstone works at a nearby children’s learning center and said the fear for her students is personal.
“It’s scary to think that they may be playing outside and a pack of eight dogs might, you know, come at any time,” she said.
It has even gotten the attention of Rep. Diamond Garcia, who said his office is looking into expanding humane control programs.
“We definitely need to have a focus, and State and local resources to spay and neuter animals, especially of the stray animals. You know, there’s more and more that’s coming in, as the homeless population increases,” he said.
The Hawaiian Humane Society said they have conducted several responses and have even deployed traps in the area, but residents said the efforts feel more like a temporary fix than a long-term solution.
“I emailed HPD, and I got a response back saying that they really can’t do anything, you’ve got to call Humane Society,” Lidstone said. “I think the process is so ambiguous that nothing gets done. So these dogs continue to run loose, continue to kill small animals.”
The Hawaiian Humane Society said in a statement:
“The Hawaiian Humane Society take all reports of aggressive animals seriously and maintain close coordination with law enforcement partners to address these situations effectively.
Our standard protocol for dangerous dog reports involves Field Services response to investigate and assess the situation. When animals pose threats to broader public safety, we work directly with the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and other agencies to ensure appropriate action is taken.
Concerning the ongoing situation near Costco Kapolei, our Field Services team has conducted multiple response efforts to locate the reported animals. Our Humane Investigators have been in ongoing communication with the initial complainant regarding this matter. We have deployed humane traps and are actively collaborating with HPD District 8 to pinpoint the exact locations of encampments where these animals may be residing.
We encourage community members who encounter aggressive or unrestrained dogs to prioritize their safety first and call HPD directly if there is immediate danger. HPD has the personnel and resources to respond quickly to emergency situations, and firsthand witness accounts help first responders assess and address the situation effectively. Our small, but mighty team of Field Services Officers and Humane Investigators operate across the entire island and may be engaged with other active cases, which is why HPD has the resources to respond more immediately to emergency situations. Under no circumstances should individuals approach unknown animals displaying aggressive behavior.
The Hawaiian Humane Society maintains our commitment to protecting both animals and community members throughout Oʻahu. We will continue our coordinated efforts with law enforcement partners to resolve this situation and ask for the public’s continued patience as we work to safely locate and address these animals.”