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Hawaii County, HI Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Basis: Conduct, not breed, § 4-4-32
Petty misdemeanor tier: $200-$1,000, up to 30 days
Class B felony tier: $500-$25,000, up to 10 yrs
Habitual offense: 5-year lookback, § 4-4-33
Officer authority: May slay dog at large, § 4-4-31

Summary

Hawai'i County has no breed-specific ban; instead it declares a dog 'dangerous' by its conduct. HCC § 4-4-32 makes it a petty misdemeanor, or a felony if the attack causes substantial or serious bodily injury, for an owner to negligently let a dog attack without provocation, with fines up to $25,000 and up to ten years' imprisonment for the worst tier.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hawaii County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a) A dog owner commits the offense of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog, if the person negligently fails to take reasonable measures to prevent the dog from attacking, without provocation, a person or animal and such attack results in: (1) The maiming or causing of serious injury to or the destruction of an animal; (2) Bodily injury to a person; (3) Substantial bodily injury to a person; or (4) Serious bodily injury or death. ... (e) A person convicted under this section of a violation of subsection (a)(4) shall be guilty of a class B felony and sentenced to one or more of the following: (1) A fine of not less than $500 nor more than $25,000; (2) A period of imprisonment of up to ten years...

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Full Breakdown

Hawai'i County does not regulate dogs by breed. § 4-4-32(a) creates the offense of 'negligent failure to control a dangerous dog' when an owner negligently fails to take reasonable measures to prevent an unprovoked attack that maims or seriously injures an animal, or causes bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or serious bodily injury or death to a person. § 4-4-33 adds a habitual-offender tier, a misdemeanor with a $200 to $2,000 fine and up to a year in jail, if the same dog and owner are convicted again within five years. § 4-4-34 authorizes citation, summons, and seizure of the dog once probable cause exists.

Violations & Fines

Penalties run from a petty misdemeanor ($200-$1,000 fine, up to 30 days) for injuring an animal or causing bodily injury, to a class B felony ($500-$25,000, up to 10 years) if the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, under § 4-4-32(c)-(e). A repeat offense involving the same dog within five years is charged separately, as a misdemeanor, under § 4-4-33.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hawai'i County ban any dog breeds?

No. The county has no breed-specific ordinance. HCC § 4-4-32 instead penalizes owners whose dog attacks without provocation, based on what the dog actually does and the injury it causes, not the breed it is. This conduct-based standard applies to every dog on the island equally.

What's the penalty if my dog seriously injures someone?

If the attack causes serious bodily injury or death, § 4-4-32(e) makes it a class B felony: a fine of $500 to $25,000 and up to ten years in prison, or probation with up to eighteen months of imprisonment, plus restitution to the victim.

Can animal control kill a dangerous dog?

Yes, under narrow conditions. § 4-4-31 lets an animal control officer slay a dangerous, fierce, or vicious dog found running at large that cannot be captured or tranquilized, and lets a livestock owner kill a dog actively attacking their livestock.

Sources & Official References

[1]Hawai'i County Code, Chapter 4 (Animals)

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All Hawaii County rules

How Hawaii County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii animal ordinances overview

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