Best Dog Bite Attorneys in Honolulu

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  Contact the Honolulu Police Department at (808)-529-3111 for non-emergencies.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Honolulu, Hawaii?

  Pick up reports at the police's Records and Identification Division located at 801 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, 96813. Operating hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. You can also mail your request to the division or contact them at 808-723-3270 for further details.

• When is a dog owner in Honolulu considered negligent in a bite incident?

  When a dog bites a person without being provoked and the owner reasonably fails to do something to stop it, the owner can be considered negligent. Any person in Honolulu convicted of negligence shall face charges of a petty misdemeanor for first-time offenses and a misdemeanor for subsequent charges. Some of the penalties they may face are fines of up to $2,000, imprisonment of up to 30 days or probation, and restitution to the victim.

• What should you do if a dangerous dog poses an immediate threat to someone in Honolulu?

  If there is an immediate threat from a dangerous dog in Honolulu, contact the Hawaii County Police dispatch at (808) 935-3311. Additionally, the police's Animal Control Services accepts containment of dangerous dogs and those for surrender by their owners. Owners of lost pets can call (808) 327-3558 for a non-emergency response from the county police.

• Why is it difficult for a dog bite victim in Honolulu to win a lawsuit against the owner?

  Dog owners in Honolulu can only be legally liable for bite injuries when any of the two conditions are met. First, it is the dog's second bite without being provoked. Second, the owner has been negligent in avoiding the dog bite incident. Unless the basis of the lawsuit is under any of these two conditions, it may be difficult for the victim to win against the owner.

• Are there limits to how much financial compensation you can recover from a dog bite claim in Honolulu?

  There are no limits to economic damages, such as medical expenses and incident-related expenses. However, there are limits to the non-economic damages given in a dog bite claim in Honolulu. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental distress, and disfigurement. In most cases, the limit is capped at $375,000.

• Are dog owners in Honolulu required to register their pet dogs?

  No. Since January 1, 2022, dog owners in Honolulu are required to implant microchips on their dogs instead of registering them. In addition to this, they have to register the microchip number and their contact details to a microchip registration company. Animal organizations are also required to put a microchip on the dogs they keep.