Bill > HB634

This bill modifies Hawaii's existing law regarding dangerous dogs by increasing penalties for dog owners whose dogs cause bodily injuries to humans. The bill creates a tiered penalty system based on the severity of injury caused by an unprovoked dog attack: for bodily injury, the owner faces a misdemeanor with potential fines up to $2,000, up to six months imprisonment, and required restitution; for substantial bodily injury, the offense becomes a class C felony with fines up to $10,000 and one to five years imprisonment; for serious bodily injury, it becomes a class B felony with fines up to $25,000 and imprisonment of up to ten years; and for injuries resulting in death, it becomes a class A felony with fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment of up to twenty years. In all cases, the dog may be euthanized, and the owner must obtain liability insurance of at least $50,000, meet specific conditions for dangerous dog ownership, and cannot have the sentence suspended. The bill aims to hold dog owners more accountable for preventing dangerous dog attacks and providing significant legal consequences when such attacks occur.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=634&year=2025