Council may sharpen bite of loud dog law

Owners of barking dogs whose canines are found in violation of a noise ordinance could be hit with a $1,000 fine and might have to surrender their animals if a bill introduced yesterday passes the City Council.

The ordinance, proposed by Honolulu Councilwoman Rene Mansho, would stiffen current penalties -- a first time offense will increase to $50 from $25; a second offense within two years of the first will come with a $100 fine.

Subsequent offenses will run between $500 and $1,000, up from the previous $100 limit.

The bill also proposes that a court can require as part of the sentence for any offense, to "train an animal ... to stop the nuisance which caused the offense."

(Now, if only we can raise the level of awareness of other types of noise pollution to that of the barking dog we would be making significant progress.)