Humane Enforcement

Our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of animals extends beyond Maui to our neighboring islands within Maui County. Through our contract with Maui County, Maui Humane Society provides essential animal services on Molokaʻi, specifically for stray dogs.

Learn more about our services on Moloka’i

To report neglect, please call (808) 877-3680 ext. 222 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm, or fill out this online form.

An officer will reach out to you shortly to follow up if needed.

To report a non-emergency incident, please fill out this online form and an officer will reach out to you shortly. 

If a situation is life-threatening, a person or animal is in immediate danger or someone has been bitten, please call 911, then our 24/7 Emergency Response hotline at (808) 877-3680 and follow the instructions.  

Keeping dogs on leash when in public not only protects other animals and people but it keeps them safe as well. It is illegal to walk your dog off leash unless you are in a designated off-leash area.  To report dog unrestrained dogs on the beaches, call DOCARE at (808) 873-3990.  

The law specifies that:

• Dogs are required to be restrained at all times.
• Away from home: a dog must be on leash unless the dog is in a designated off-leash dog park.   Currently there are only two dog parks and the State of Hawaii requires all dogs to be leashed when on the beach.  

At home: a dog must be restrained by a fence or other containment system preventing the dog from leaving on its own volition. 

If you would like to report a leash law violation incident, please fill out this online form.

Maui County Code 6.04.010 defines excessive barking as follows:

“Excessive barking means continuous and/or incessant barking, baying, crying, howling, or any other noise which disturbs any person at any time of day or night for (10) consecutive minutes or intermittently for twenty (20) minutes; provided, however, that barking shall not be deemed excessive if such barking is the result of a trespass or threatened trespass by a person or persons on private property on which the dog is situated or is the result of a person teasing or otherwise provoking the dog.”

Any person convicted of a barking violation shall be fined up to $500 per charge.

Documentation Requirements:

To proceed, you must complete the Barking Violation Information Form (BVIF) and provide:

• Specific dates
• Exact start and end times
• Total duration of barking

General statements such as “barking all day” or “constant barking” cannot be accepted.

At least one incident must independently meet the County Code duration requirement.

You may also review the Barking Dog Complaint Documentation (BDCL) for guidance on how to properly document dates, times, and duration of barking incidents. The BDCL is for your guidance only and is not returned to Humane Enforcement.

How to Submit

Forms may be downloaded online; however, completed forms must be submitted in person to the Maui Humane Society front office.

• Completed forms may be dropped off at the front desk during normal business hours. Our Pet Resources team does not review forms and cannot answer questions regarding barking complaints.
• Forms are collected and reviewed by Humane Enforcement after submission.
• Appointments are not required, and intake meetings are not conducted.
• Completed forms must be submitted in person as part of the formal complaint process.
• Electronic, anonymous, or incomplete submissions are not accepted.

What to Expect

Submission of a BVIF does not automatically result in enforcement action.

All forms are reviewed to determine whether the reported incident meets the legal definition of excessive barking.

If the documentation meets the required threshold:

• A courtesy notice may be issued
• A Humane Enforcement Officer may conduct a field assessment

If additional qualifying documentation is received, a nuisance investigation may be initiated.

Response time varies based on call volume and case priority.

Important Information

• Submission of multiple forms does not increase case priority
• Complaints are evaluated based on legal sufficiency, not volume
• Not all barking meets the legal definition of nuisance

Cases may be forwarded to the County Prosecutor’s Office if sufficient evidence exists.

To report animal abandonment/displacement, please fill out this online form. You can also call (808) 877-3680 ext. 222 7 days a week from 7am to 6pm.

An officer will reach out to you shortly to follow up if needed.

When we find a litter of kittens, more often than not, mom is nearby! She is most likely hunting for food to provide for her babies, and she will return shortly. The best thing you can do is leave the kittens where they are. Mom offers her kittens the best chance for survival, and their survival rate decreases by 50% without her.

If mom does not return in 10 hours, check to see if the kittens are well-fed and warm. If not, human intervention may be necessary. If the kittens appear to be sick and/or injured, please reach MHS’ Humane Enforcement at 808-877-3680 ext. 222. Learn more!