LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Humane Society Executive Director Dr. Becky Rhoades was recently cited for having a dog in a section of the multi-use path where dogs are not allowed. Rhoades, a proponent of the 18-month trial period that allows dogs
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Humane Society Executive Director Dr. Becky Rhoades was recently cited for having a dog in a section of the multi-use path where dogs are not allowed.
Rhoades, a proponent of the 18-month trial period that allows dogs on the Lihi Park-to-Kealia section of Ke Ala Hele Makalae as well as proposed legislation that would expand dogs’ reign to the entire path, was issued the citation Jan. 29 in the area between the lifeguard tower and the rest pavilion just south of the lifeguard tower, county spokeswoman Mary Daubert confirmed earlier this month.
“I had a little poodle in my basket, tied to my handlebars. I was guilty,” Rhoades said, noting she paid the fine last week. She said she saw a dog without a leash north of the dog-friendly section, and went over to educate the dog’s owner.
“I have zero tolerance for dogs off-leash,” Rhoades said. “That’s where we get into problems, because you don’t have control over your dog.”
Rhoades said the path’s signage is poor, which leaves dog owners “no clue where dogs are allowed and where dogs aren’t allowed” because people think the path is the everywhere along the Kapa‘a coast.
“I shouldn’t have done it but I did it. … I knew I was wrong,” Rhoades said. “If they want to raise the fine, that would be fine with me. We don’t condone and we don’t want violators. We want good dog stewardship.”
Rhoades pleaded guilty to the offense on March 17 and was sentenced to a $100 fine, states a rare press release from the office of County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, a former councilmember who was opposed to the legislation enabling the trial period.
“Rhodes (sic) was arraigned and tendered her plea in Courtroom Two of the Honorable Trudy Senda, in the District Court of the Fifth Circuit at the Lihu‘e courthouse,” the press release states. “Judge Senda sentenced Rhodes (sic) to a $100.00 fine after finding a factual basis for Rhodes’ (sic) guilty plea and convicting her of the offense.”
Daubert said the fine for a first offense can range from $100 to $500. She said six citations have been issued to people who had dogs on sections of the multi-use path where dogs are not allowed since the 18-month trial period took effect Dec. 1, 2008.
Asked Monday why the press release was issued, Iseri-Carvalho said she had received numerous calls from the community regarding Rhoades’ citation, first reported by blogger Joan Conrow of kauaieclectic.blogspot.com, and wanted to make clear that she is not party to any conspiracy between the Kaua‘i Humane Society and The Garden Island newspaper.
• Michael Levine, assistant news editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mlevine@kauaipubco.com.
