§663-9.1 Exception of animal owners to civil liability. (a) As used in this section:
"Enter or remain unlawfully" means to be in or upon premises when the person is not licensed, invited, or otherwise privileged to be upon the premises. A person is not licensed or privileged to enter or remain in or upon premises if a warning or warnings have been posted that are reasonably adequate to warn other persons that an animal is present on the premises. A person who, regardless of the person's intent, enters or remains in or upon premises that are at the time open to the public does so with license and privilege unless the person defies a lawful order not to enter or remain, personally communicated to the person by the owner of the premises or some other authorized person. A license or privilege to enter or remain in a building that is only partly open to the public is not a license or privilege to enter or remain in that part of the building that is not open to the public. A person who enters or remains upon unimproved and apparently unused land that is neither fenced nor otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders does so with license and privilege, unless notice against trespass is personally communicated to the person by the owner of the land or some other authorized person, or unless notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner.
"Intentionally" shall have the same meaning as in section 702-206(1).
"Knowingly" shall have the same meaning as in section 702-206(2).
"Premises" includes any building or portion thereof or any real property owned, leased, or occupied by the owner or harborer of an animal.
(b) Notwithstanding sections 663-1 and 663-9, any owner or harborer of an animal shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from actions of the animal occurring in or upon the premises of the owner or harborer where the person suffering either personal or property damage as a proximate result of the actions of the animal is found by the trier of fact intentionally or knowingly to have entered or remained in or upon such premises unlawfully.
(c) Notwithstanding sections 663-1 and 663-9, any owner or harborer of an animal shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from actions of the animal where the trier of fact finds that:
(1) The animal caused such damage as a proximate result of being teased, tormented, or otherwise abused without the negligence, direction, or involvement of the owner or harborer; or
(2) The use of the animal to cause damage to person or property was justified under chapter 703. [L 1980, c 218, §3; gen ch 1985; am L 2017, c 12, §71]
Structure Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 36. Civil Remedies and Defenses and Special Proceedings
663-1 Torts, who may sue and for what.
663-1.2 Tort liability for breach of contract; punitive damages.
663-1.3 "Ad damnum" clause prohibited.
663-1.4 Payment of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in defense of suit.
663-1.5 Exception to liability.
663-1.8 Chiropractic society; peer review committee; no liability; exceptions.
663-1.53 Liability for operation of a family child care home.
663-1.55 Volunteer firefighters; limited liability.
663-2 Defense of lawful detention.
663-4 Actions which survive death of wrongdoer or other person liable.
663-5 Death of defendant, continuance of action.
663-7 Survival of cause of action.
663-8 Damages, future earnings.
663-8.3 Loss or impairment of earning capacity; damages.
663-8.5 Noneconomic damages; defined.
663-8.7 Limitation on pain and suffering.
663-9 Liability of animal owners.
663-9.1 Exception of animal owners to civil liability.
663-9.5 Liability of firearm owners.
663-10 Collateral sources; protection for liens and rights of subrogation.
663-10.6 Exemption for providing shelter and subsistence to the needy.
663-10.9 Abolition of joint and several liability; exceptions.
663-10.95 Motorsports facilities; waiver of liability.
663-10.98 Design professional liability; highways.
663-10.99 Trespass; limited liability of agricultural land owner.
663-11 Joint tortfeasors defined.
663-12 Right of contribution; accrual; pro rata share.
663-13 Judgment against one tortfeasor.
663-15.5 Release; joint tortfeasors; co-obligors; good faith settlement.
663-21 Advance payments not admission.